Addiction in the Elderly

Many older people drink alcohol safely and in small amounts. However, there is growing concern about alcohol addiction in later life. More people are starting to drink too much as they get older, and others are living longer with long-term alcohol problems.

As we age, alcohol affects our bodies more strongly. It stays in the body for longer and can cause more harm. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems, such as liver disease, falls, memory problems and depression. It can also react badly with medicines that many older people take.

Alcohol addiction can affect not just physical health, but also mental well-being and daily life. Older people with alcohol problems are more likely to feel unwell, struggle with everyday tasks, feel low in mood, and find social life harder.

This page looks at why alcohol addiction is a growing issue for older people, how it affects health and wellbeing, and why support and understanding are so important.

Class A Drugs, Prescription Medicines and Substance Misuse in Later Life

Addiction is often wrongly seen as a problem that only affects younger people. In reality, substance misuse among older adults is a growing issue in the UK. Drug-related illness, hospital admissions and deaths now affect large numbers of people aged 40, 50 and over, and the figures continue to rise each year.

Addiction in later life is frequently hidden. Older people are less likely to be identified as having a substance misuse problem, less likely to be referred into treatment, and more likely to experience serious health consequences before help is offered.

This page explores addiction in older people, with a focus on Class A drugs, prescription medicines, alcohol, and the specific risks linked to ageing.

The Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis currently ravaging the US has started to take hold in the UK over the past couple of years, and elderly people are disproportionally affected by this crisis.

Opioids are a much stronger category of painkillers, known to cause addiction, that are frequently prescribed to older people due to their predisposition to chronic pain. For older opiate users, who may have been prescribed opioids for a long time and are used to taking them every day, it can be very hard to convince them that they do need to come off these drugs and try other methods of pain relief. Another concern with older people taking opiates is that this age group is also more likely to be taking benzodiazepines, a category of prescription drugs used to aid anxiety and sleep problems. When patients mix opiates and benzodiazepines, they are far more at risk of overdose than when using one or the other.

Opioids can cause breathing problems, and, mixed with a sedative medication like benzodiazepines, this risk is doubled. Because benzodiazepines are often prescribed for psychiatric problems, doctors who are not thorough may miss the fact that a patient is already on opioid medication for a different issue, leaving the patient at risk.

For older people who are used to taking opioids, this ingrained behaviour can be difficult to fight. They may not trust other pain relief options, or not be willing to cope with pain and discomfort whilst trying other options. Social isolation can exacerbate prescription drug use as well as the use of illicit drugs, and it may not be clear to others in the first place how bad the situation has gotten.

Why Addiction in Older People Is Increasing

Addiction among older people is rising in the UK, but it is often hidden or misunderstood. Many people think drug or alcohol problems only affect young people. This is not true. More people aged 50 and over are now experiencing problems with drugs, alcohol or medicines.

There are several reasons for this increase. These reasons are linked to changes in health, life events, medical treatment and the way services are funded.

An Ageing Group of Long-Term Drug Users

Many older people with drug problems first started using drugs when they were much younger. Some began using heroin, crack cocaine or other drugs in the 1980s and 1990s. These people are now middle-aged or older.

Medical care has improved over the years. This means more people are living longer, even after many years of drug use. While living longer is positive, many of these individuals now have serious health problems. These can include heart disease, breathing problems, liver damage and poor mental health.

Long-term drug use can also affect memory, mood and decision-making. As people age, these problems can get worse. This can make it harder for them to stop using drugs without the right kind of support.

Increased Use of Prescription Medicines

Older adults are more likely to be given prescription medicines by their GP or hospital doctor. These may include strong painkillers, medicines for anxiety, or tablets to help with sleep.

These medicines can help people feel better in the short term. However, when they are used for a long time, the body can become used to them. This can lead to dependence, where a person feels they cannot cope without the medicine.

Sometimes medicines are not reviewed often enough. A person may stay on the same tablets for years without being checked properly. This increases the risk of addiction, especially if the person is also drinking alcohol or has a history of drug use.

Chronic Pain and Long-Term Ill Health

As people get older, they are more likely to live with ongoing pain or illness. Common problems include arthritis, back pain, nerve pain and cancer. Living with pain every day can be exhausting and upsetting.

Drugs and medicines are often used to reduce pain. While this can help, it can also cause new problems. If someone relies on drugs to manage pain, they may begin to take more than prescribed or use them in unsafe ways.

Pain can also affect sleep, mood and mental health. This can increase the risk of addiction, especially if a person feels there are no other ways to cope.

Loneliness and Social Isolation

Loneliness is a major issue for many older people. Retirement, the death of a partner or friend, family moving away and reduced mobility can all lead to feeling alone.

When people feel lonely or isolated, they may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope. Substances can seem to reduce boredom, sadness or anxiety, even though they often make problems worse over time.

Older people may also have fewer people around them who notice a problem or encourage them to get help. This means addiction can continue for many years without support.

Reduced Funding for Drug Services

At the same time as addiction among older people has increased, funding for drug and alcohol services in England has fallen in real terms. This means services often have fewer staff and longer waiting lists.

Many services are designed mainly for younger adults. Older people may feel these services are not suitable for them or may feel ashamed to attend. As a result, they may not get the help they need.

Less funding also means less specialist support for people with complex health needs, making recovery harder for older adults.

Health Risks of Class A Drugs in Older People

Long-term use of Class A drugs can cause serious health problems, including:

Respiratory Disease

Smoking heroin or crack cocaine damages the lungs. Older users are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma-like symptoms and repeated chest infections.

Cardiovascular Problems

Cocaine and crack cocaine place a strain on the heart and blood vessels. Older users face higher risks of heart attack, stroke and irregular heart rhythms.

Liver and Kidney Damage

Long-term drug use can damage the liver and kidneys, particularly when combined with alcohol or hepatitis infection.

Blood-Borne Viruses

Older people who injected drugs in the past may be living with hepatitis C or HIV. As they age, these conditions can worsen and complicate treatment.

Frailty and Falls

Drug use increases dizziness, confusion and poor balance. Older adults are more likely to suffer falls, fractures and head injuries.

Overdose Risk in Later Life

Overdose risk rises sharply with age, even if drug use has not increased.

Key reasons include:

• Reduced tolerance after illness or weight loss
• Changes in how the body processes drugs
• Mixing drugs with prescription medicines
• Drinking alcohol alongside drugs

Older people are also more likely to use drugs alone, which reduces the chance of timely help in an emergency.

Why This Issue Matters

Drug-related deaths in the UK have increased year on year. Older adults now account for a large proportion of these deaths.

Without:

• Adequate funding
• Integrated health and addiction services
• Age-appropriate treatment

Many older people will continue to suffer avoidable harm. If you’re struggling, call us on 01253 847 553 or info@asanalodge.com for more information.

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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: December 12, 2025

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.