“Pharmageddon”: America’s New Drug Crisis
Baby Boomers and Late On-Set Addiction
ba·by-boom·er (bā’bē-bū’mər) n. A member of a baby-boom generation.
Baby Boomers are individuals born post World War II between the years of 1946 and 1964. During that 18 year period there was an explosion of 76 million births. The first boomers born in 1946 are turning 65 this year while the youngest born in 1964 are turning 47. Boomers grew up in the 60’s, a decade of protests and wide-spread use of recreational drugs. Sixties guru, Timothy Leary, advocated, “turn on, tune in, drop out.” And they did. Drugs like LSD, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin were used to help express themselves with psychedelic art and “acid” music. Popular entertainers of the day became alcoholics and addicts. Some survived; some did not.
Yet, for all of the chaos, boomers became adults who followed in the footsteps of the previous generation. They went to work at jobs in companies large and small in the “establishment.” They furthered their education and earned college degrees. They started their own companies. They married and divorced in record numbers. They have raised families who now have families of their own. So “Boomers” are everyman and woman. They are parents, grandparents, coworkers, community leaders- just everyday people.
What isn’t so evident is that this generation of “young old” adults is at the heart of a possible epidemic of late onset addiction. ‘There are several reasons that the “boomer” generation may potentially be home to many more addicts and alcoholics than the rest of the population. Some of these reasons are that the boomers were (1) the first generation to engage in wide-spread recreational use of a variety of addictive drugs (including cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamines); (2) the first generation for which a wide variety of prescription medications and painkillers were readily available; and (3) the last generation for which treatment and recovery were not culturally acceptable. For these and other reasons, some are calling it, “America’s hidden epidemic”.’[1]
While some did use drugs during their younger years, many have become addicted to today’s drugs of choice- prescription meds and alcohol. The reasons for this vary but it is thought to be due to several factors:
- Aches and pains of aging that can be easily alleviated with a pill.
- Easy availability of painkillers.
- Medical problems- illnesses, injuries that are limiting.
- Emotional traumas- divorce, loss of loved ones.
- Isolation – feelings of lack of purpose.Financial difficulties -loss of employment, loss of income.
- Perhaps a pre-disposition to substance abuse.
- Age can contribute to physical and mental vulnerability.
Thankfully, boomers are not adverse to seeking assistance for addiction. In previous generations, it was generally tabu to talk about problems with alcohol or drugs. But now, treatment centers are seeing record numbers of the “young old” needing help to “kick” their addictions. Some practitioners report increasing numbers of middle aged who would never have been thought to be addicted seeking help. One treatment center reports that older Americans arrive for treatment taking an average of 4.5 prescription medications and 3.5 over-the-counter meds.[2]
There are nearly 4 million in that age group afflicted by addiction according to the December 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report: Illicit Drug Use Among Older Adults published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). [3] The same study cites that among adults aged 50 and older who used an illicit drug in the previous year, 33.4% used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. In addition to the use of alcohol and/or prescription drugs, there is still a preference for the use marijuana. According to the previously cited study (Illicit Drug Use Among Older Adults), 44.9% reported using marijuana. Illicit drug use was higher among males aged 50 and older than females of the same age.
Though is tempting to place blame on their possible past drug use, boomers as well as all others, are afflicted by a disease. Chemical dependency is a brain disease that doesn’t respect age. The “young old” as well as the young are at risk. No matter the manner in which it became part of their lives, they know that once acknowledged, they need to get help.
Should you know someone who have an addiction problem, look for resources in your area and contact them. Remember where there is hope, there is help.
In New York State call the HOPELINE at: 1 -877-8-HOPENY (1-800-877-846-7369), 24 hours/7 days a week. All calls are free and confidential.
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(1) “Addiction Among Seniors Called ‘Hidden Epidemic’; News Summary, July 21, 2003. www.Jointogether.org
(2) Facts from the website for Hanley Center’s Center for Older Adult Recovery. www.hanleycenter.org
(3) The NSDUH Report, Illicit Drug Use Among Older Adults, 2009, http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/168/168OlderAdults.htm
Additional resources:
www.msnbc.com
http://newyork.cbslocal.com
www.selfgrowth.com
AARP Magazine, January/February 2011, www.aarp.org/magazine.com
“So What’s a Boomer, Anyhow?”, www.bbhq.com/whatsabm.htm
CBS New York video: “Booming Addiction, Baby Boomers Using Drugs In Record Numbers”
cbsnews.com videos: “America’s Alarming Prescription Drug Addiction”, http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6835759n&tag=mncol;lst;2
” Baby Boomer Overdoses”, http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1041392n&tag=mncol;lst;9
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