Substance Use Treatment Program for Older Adults

Pennsylvania

Highlights of the Older Adults Program

Of the 55 million older adults in the US in 2020, 4.4 million of them will need substance abuse treatment. This issue may go unnoticed by family members and friends. In many cases, even the person with the alcohol or drug problem may not realize the extent of the problem. Being aware of unusual behavior in your loved one is a critical first step in diagnosing a substance use disorder and getting treatment.

With over 65 years of experience, we know that treatment utilizing dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies is most effective in teaching older adults new coping and relationship skills.

Our program is adapted to a person’s age and physical, emotional, and spiritual condition, and is effective for the use of early intervention, treatment, and relapse prevention.

An Adaptable, Comprehensive Treatment Program

Caron’s specialized Older Adults Program, located at Caron Pennsylvania, addresses addiction along with co-occurring conditions commonly seen in older adults. The daily schedule is crafted to adhere to each patient’s pace with the inclusion of activities that take into account mobility and possible co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma.

Significant medical issues — like chronic pain, diabetes, or cardiac problems — are also taken into account in the patient’s individualized treatment plan. We embrace the power of a personalized, flexible approach to achieving wellness.

Throughout treatment, our interdisciplinary addiction specialists continually reassess and adjust care plans, helping patients build social support networks, gain self-awareness, overcome difficult emotions such as grief and depression, and restore their sense of meaning and purpose.

Treatment Components

Wellness Therapies and Services

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse in Older Adults

Because some of the signs of substance abuse mirror the signs of aging, it can be difficult to recognize if there is an issue or its extent. Medications that many older people take may mask or mimic substance abuse symptoms. The fact that older people generally also drink or take drugs at home alone also makes it difficult to know if they need treatment for substance use disorder.

Due to the normal aging process, drugs and alcohol affect every part of the body differently because it cannot metabolize the same way it had. These signs and symptoms may indicate substance abuse: