Self reported health status, and health service contact, of illicit drug users aged 50 and over: a qualitative interview study in Merseyside, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: The populations of industrialised countries are ageing; as this occurs, those who continue to use alcohol and illicit drugs age also. While alcohol use among older people is well documented, use of illicit drugs continues to be perceived as behaviour of young people and is a neglected area of research. This is the first published qualitative research on the experiences of older drug users in the United Kingdom.

Illegal drug use in the age of ageing

“…Evidence showing that older drug users have little or no family support 11 suggests that social care in addition to health services will be necessary, and the reality we face is rising costs associated with caring appropriately for the increasing number of drug users reaching older age. Only now are we becoming aware of the challenge this demographic change presents.…”

“…The use of prescription drugs, which increases in older age, particularly among those with poor health, and the interactions of these with illegal drugs need consideration, as will the possibility of iatrogenic addiction to prescribed medications. Drug and alcohol-related cognitive impairment, which is likely to occur at a relatively young age, 11 may make treatment adherence a problem. Pain management and palliative care will become important issues as a growing number of drug users reach older age.…”

“…Some people recommence or escalate drug use in later life, 11 so general practice should be vigilant to the possibility of drug use across a person's life course. Any previous history of drug use may be highly significant but in the older person, further cues may not be obvious and, given the disenchantment some have experienced with health services, substance use beyond alcohol and tobacco may not be volunteered without specific enquiry.…”

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

“…On the other hand, depression and depressive symptoms occurred often in the older population (Beynon, Roe, Duffy, & Pickering, 2009;KORFOR, 2015;Lofwall et al, 2005;Roe et al, 2010;Rosen et al, 2008). According to Status Report, one in five patients was considered to have severe depression, and the literature has specified a significantly higher prevalence among women: 44% versus 27% .…”

Diagnosing the Use of Illegal Drugs by Older People – Comments on the Proposed Changes to Dsm‐V

“…Older people are high consumers of prescribed medications and the effects of these can also mask drug use. While a history of drug use is an important diagnostic criterion, the absence of such a history should not rule out the possibility of drug use in later life, with cases being reported of people initiating problem drug use in their late 40s and 50s [9,10].…”