Drug addiction presents major hurdles for anyone trying to recover. There is the addiction itself, associated psychological and physical problems – not to mention economic insecurity resulting from using.

But for older addicts, these problems can be magnified. This is particularly true of those who have been using drugs since they were younger. In other words, since the 1960s or ‘70s when illicit drugs were very much in fashion. This recreational drug use was very common among young people of that time.

But while many dropped the drug use as they matured, some remained in the pattern – often long after they wanted to.

Among the most serious of these problems are chronic health issues. Long term drug use can take its toll on the body as we get older.

Some experts have advocated that special programs be created for older addicts because the issues they face in recovery are particular to them. While drug treatment facilities are plentiful around the world, there is very little attention paid to the particular needs of this older group of addicts. Most services have been dedicated to younger addicts, who make up the majority.

Among the chronic health problems that older addicts can face are respiratory problems, circulatory problems and diseases like hepatitis and diabetes.

There are also a range of mental health issues that these addicts face. It’s more than a cliché that older addicts suffer memory loss – it’s a reality. And that can be serious depending on which substance they were addicted to.

Older addicts also report feeling anxious, lonely, depressed and paranoid. The isolation that younger addicts feel when they’re using is only magnified in the older drug abuser. After all, older people are already vulnerable to being isolated.

And with drug addiction that is likely to be much worse. With their using they are likely to be estranged from family and friends, and this isolation will only grow as they age. Also, as they age they are vulnerable to financial difficulties that are made worse by their addiction.

It is estimated that the number of drug addicts over 50 will increase in the United States by more than 150 per cent between 2000 and 2020. This figure is expected to more than double in Europe during the same period.

One aspect of drug addiction that has not been researched very much is the challenge of recovering for an addict who may have used for three or four decades. How is it possible to change one’s life so radically when the person has essentially had their entire adult life revolving around drugs.

This involves much more than just stopping consumption of their drug of choice, it also means learning how to live clean and sober. This is where 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous can be very helpful.

By finding other addicts who share a similar background, the aging addict can begin the road to recovery.

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