Historique
Article de Périodique
Substance misuse in older people [Editorial] (2017)
Article en page(s) :
j3885
Sous-type de document :
Editorial
Domaine :
Alcool / Alcohol ; Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Discipline :
SAN (Santé publique / Public health)
Thésaurus géographique
ROYAUME-UNI
;
AUSTRALIE
Thésaurus mots-clés
PERSONNE AGEE
;
ABUS
;
POPULATION A RISQUE
;
ALCOOL
;
PRODUIT ILLICITE
Note générale :
Letter: Higgs P., Dietze P. Injecting drug use continues in older drug users too. British Medical Journal, 2017; 359(8126): j4738.
Résumé :
Baby boomers are the population at highest risk.
Developed countries have seen substantial increases in longevity over the past 20 years, contributing to a global demographic shift. The number of older people (aged over 50) experiencing problems from substance misuse is also growing rapidly, with the numbers receiving treatment expected to treble in the United States and double in Europe by 2020.
In both the UK and Australia, risky drinking is declining, except among people aged 50 years and older. There is also a strong upward trend for episodic heavy drinking in this age group. This generational trend is not restricted to alcohol. In Australia, the largest percentage increase in drug misuse between 2013 and 2016 was among people aged 60 and over, with this age group mainly misusing prescription drugs. However, people over 50 also have higher rates than younger age groups for both past year and lifetime illicit drug misuse (notably cannabis). [Extract]
Developed countries have seen substantial increases in longevity over the past 20 years, contributing to a global demographic shift. The number of older people (aged over 50) experiencing problems from substance misuse is also growing rapidly, with the numbers receiving treatment expected to treble in the United States and double in Europe by 2020.
In both the UK and Australia, risky drinking is declining, except among people aged 50 years and older. There is also a strong upward trend for episodic heavy drinking in this age group. This generational trend is not restricted to alcohol. In Australia, the largest percentage increase in drug misuse between 2013 and 2016 was among people aged 60 and over, with this age group mainly misusing prescription drugs. However, people over 50 also have higher rates than younger age groups for both past year and lifetime illicit drug misuse (notably cannabis). [Extract]
Affiliation :
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK