The serious and increasing levels of harm older Australians face from alcohol and other drugs can no longer be ignored, according to a new Alcohol and Drug Foundation report.
The report analyses trends around alcohol and other drug harms in older Australians (aged 50 yrs and above), highlighting particularly high levels of harm from alcohol and prescribed medications, with the use of multiple substances identified as one risk factor.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s CEO, Dr Erin Lalor AM, said older people were dying from alcohol and other drug related causes at a rate almost two times higher than other ages, proving urgent action was needed.
‘We know that older people are often overlooked in alcohol and other drug harm reduction efforts, and this cannot continue,’ said Dr Lalor said.
‘Older people drink more regularly than any other age group, and around one third are drinking at risky levels – we know that for many, these have been lifelong habits.’
Long term impacts
‘This research demonstrates the long-term impacts these habits can have, as we witness spikes in hospitalisations and treatment episodes among older people for harmful alcohol use,’ she said.
‘The non-prescribed use of medications and multiuse of substances is another high-risk issue – around two-thirds of overdose deaths in older adults involve more than one drug type.’
Dr Lalor said this is particularly concerning, as research shows an ageing group of Australians using illicit drugs, along with increased rates of prescriptions dispensed to older people for strong medications such as opioids.
‘As Australia’s population ages, we need to act fast to reduce the increased risk of harm this group faces, including better targeting them with tailored information about the risks of alcohol and other drug use,’ she said.
‘Our research shows this is best done through health providers and social peer groups, but we know conversations around alcohol and other drug use rarely occur in these environments – we must better equip them to do so.
‘Older men and those aged 50 to 59 experience a greater risk of harm than others, so prevention and harm reduction efforts should be further tailored and targeted to suit these groups.’
Analysis
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation commissioned the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney to develop the analysis report behind today’s recommendations.
NDARC Deputy Director and Drug Trends Program Lead, Dr Rachel Sutherland said the report increases understanding of older adults who experience the greatest harm from alcohol and other drug (AOD) consumption and identifies high risk groups and risk factors.
‘In addition to men and those aged 50 to 59, older adults who use alcohol, opioids and/or benzodiazepines, amphetamine-type stimulants and cannabis may benefit most from interventions to reduce harms,’ said Dr Sutherland.
She says the research shows important considerations when developing health interventions include; using drugs at home alone, remoteness, polysubstance use, and other psychosocial risk factors.
