Addiction Treatment for Seniors in Jacksonville

Why it looks different later in life

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says older people are more sensitive to alcohol’s effects on sleep, balance, coordination, attention and driving. Because of changes in the body, an older adult may reach a higher blood alcohol level than a younger person after the same amount. So the two glasses of wine your dad always had may affect him much more now.

NIAAA also notes that big life changes, like retirement, the death of a loved one or health problems, can lead someone to start or increase drinking to cope with loneliness, boredom, anxiety or depression. Some older adults drink to help them sleep, which NIAAA says can actually make sleep problems worse.

Signs are easy to mistake for normal aging. NIAAA lists memory loss, depression, anxiety, poor appetite, unexplained bruises, falls, sleeping problems and not keeping up with cleanliness or appearance as possible clues. You can read more on NIAAA’s Aging and Alcohol page.

Alcohol and medications

Many older adults take several medicines. NIAAA warns that mixing alcohol with drugs that cause sleepiness, such as sleep medicines, anxiety medicines, opioid pain medicines and some cold and allergy medicines, can be deadly. Alcohol with aspirin raises the risk of stomach bleeding, and acetaminophen can cause liver damage in people who drink regularly.

Misuse of prescription pain or anxiety medicines can happen too, sometimes without the person meaning to. Never stop or change a parent’s medications on your own. Bring every pill bottle to their doctor and ask for a full medication review.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with a doctor before making any change to medications or substance use.

Which level of care often fits

• Medically supervised detox. Withdrawal from alcohol or sedatives can be risky, and more so with other health conditions. Our detox page explains what medical detox involves.
• Outpatient or IOP. Many older adults do well living at home with regular sessions, close contact with their primary doctor and help from family. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) offers more support than weekly counseling.
• Residential. When use is severe, they live alone without support or outpatient care hasn’t worked.

Medicare covers some substance use treatment, but the rules depend on the part of Medicare and the setting. Our page does Medicare cover rehab? explains Parts A, B and D and what to ask.

Talking with a parent

Adult children often feel awkward raising this. Start with health, not blame: “I’ve noticed you’ve fallen twice this year, and I’m worried.” Ask if you can come to their next doctor’s visit. Our guide on how to talk to a loved one has more ideas.

If your parent served in the military, our guide for Veterans covers VA care. Our pages on rehab for women and men may help too, and all our specialized care guides are in one place.