The Effects Of Alcohol Abuse On The Elderly Population Essay

The older population, according the US Census Bureau (2015) reports, individuals ages 65 and older make up 8.5% of the global population. In other words, the older population now equals 617 million, and subsequently will experience an expected rise within the next ten years, resulting in an increase of roughly 236 million people aged 65 and older throughout the world. Therefore, as our elderly population increases, so will the substance use epidemic. Currently the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2016) states, an estimated 8 million alcoholics are seniors, and often to referred as the invisible â€Å"silent epidemic.† With numbers such as, 15% 65 at risk for alcohol dependency, this worldwide crisis needs to be irradiated. Therefore, with the multitude of Substance-Related Disorders (e.g., caffeine; cannabis; hallucinogens; inhalants; opioids; sedatives; hypnotics; and anxiolytics stimulants; tobacco and other substances) that need to be addressed within the older population, I have chosen to discuss the impact of Alcohol Abuse on the older population. Furthermore, I will address the following variables: prevalence and patterns of substance (e.g. Alcohol) exposure, and use and risk factors for addiction. In addition, I will address the following questions, 1 thru 4 posed in this assignment, beginning with the first question. In what ways do the characteristics of the population influence these variables? The characteristics of the older adultShow MoreRelatedSubstance Abuse Among The Elderly1473 Words   |  6 PagesAging-Related Statistics, 2000). The nation’s population will increase 18% during and the population aged 65 and older will increase 78% ( Wan, Sengupta, Velkoff, DeBarros, 2005). 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