Drugs
The stereotype of a person with problematic drug use is one of a young person, looking ill and desperate, and committing crimes to fund a ‘habit’.  While this may fit a small percentage of the population with drug problems, it is not a helpful way of recognising and representing the broad spectrum of people of all ages who suffer problems with drug use.  Illicit drug use is expected to increase as the population exposed to increased drug use reaches the ‘older’ age bracket.

The profile of the older drug user may be more difficult to define but the impact on them, and their families, can be just the same.  Older people’s drug use is often overlooked as a result of passivity or ignorance on the part of those working with them.

There is limited research in the area of drug use and older people, particularly in the UK.  However, what international research shows is that older people also use, and have problems with, heroin, ecstasy and other non prescription and prescription drugs, as well as related health problems including HIV.

There are currently no national UK statistics available on illicit drug use among older people – even British Crime Survey data stops at age 59!   What is known is that among the most regularly used drugs are benzodiazepines.  These are often combined with alcohol, however unintentionally, with potentially dangerous drug interactions.  Long term benzodiazepine use can cause attention difficulties, drowsiness, worsen memory loss and disinhibit behaviour. Non-prescribed medication can also be abused including antacids, laxatives, or other alcohol-based medications.

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