Health and social issues among older patients in opioid maintenance treatment in Norway

Abstract

In 2015 the Ministry of Health and Care Services was revising the National Action Plan for drug treatment and rehabilitation in Norway. Connected to this, Alcohol and Drug Research Western Norway (KORFOR) examined the health and social issues for older patients with substance-use disorder (SUD) and the possible challenges for the healthcare services. The report to the ministry (KORFOR, 2015) was divided into two general areas: the elderly and alcohol, and the elderly in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). The report sought to answer the following questions: Which social and health issues do these two groups struggle with? How are the support services for these groups organised and developed, both in the municipalities and the specialist health services? What consequences may an increased number of the elderly in these groups have for the need to increase capacity and to change services?

Large and non-specific somatic disease burdens among ageing, long-term opioid maintenance treatment patients

“…Some of the main somatic problems previously reported for this population in Norway have been hepatitis C, liver failure, cancer, kidney and lung disease [ 11 , 12 ]. A recent Danish study reported an earlier onset of cardiovascular disease among hospitalized drug users compared to the general population [ 13 ], and it is likely that OMT patients also experience many other somatic problems at higher rates and at relatively young ages.…”

“…With the OMT population aging, we need tailored healthcare that is adapted to their developing needs and characteristics [ 12 , 17 ]. To begin planning such services, we first need more information directly from patients about their somatic health needs.…”

Perceived Self-Control is Related to Mental Distress in Patients Entering Substance Use Disorder Treatment

“…As OMT has been a treatment option for the last 20 years in Norway, the patient group is ageing due to improved living conditions (90). The mean age is now 43 years (35).…”

“…The share of older (>45 years) patients in OMT will continue to increase in the years to come. As somatic health problems, poor cognitive functioning and social isolation have been found to be more prevalent in the older OMT population, this may pose particular challenges to the treatment services (90).…”

Thematic issue: Substance use and ageing

“…The articles by Nyhagen and Waal (2017) and Gaulen, Alpers, Carlsen, and Nesvaag, (2017) show how, among an increasing number of people with a history of opiate addiction (now in substitution treatment), the ageing process becomes an important factor at a much younger age in terms of developing health and social problems. These articles show how ageing effects can be observed in people in their 50s and even 40s.…”