The baby boomer generation, the group of 77 million babies born between the years of 1946 and 1964, was the first generation to become involved with widespread drug abuse. This group, born during the post World War II, will start turning 65 this year.
In a report released in 1995 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Applied Statistics reported that approximately 49 percent of baby boomers had ever used illicit drugs. Today, many of these people continue to struggle with drug or alcohol addiction. Now, as the largest-ever American generation reaches the senior age, concern is raised whether the current drug rehabilitation programs can handle the high number of senior citizens with addictions.
"This is not a teenage problem. This is not a college-level problem. This is a problem that is existing in today's boomer population," said Carol Colleran, author of Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol and Medication Dependence.
The Department of Health and Human Services reports that in the last decade the number of drug treatment admissions for people age 50 or older has more than doubled. Experts are concerned that current drug rehabilitation programs have been developed for the younger addicts and may not be able to handle the different circumstances presented by older adult addicts.
"[The baby boomer generation] has a tremendous amount of responsibility on their shoulders. They have the responsibility of aging parents, they have the responsibility of their children," Colleran explained. "Plus, they have their own relationship with their spouse."
Older substance abusers tend to be more physically and psychologically unstable. They are also more likely to be intolerant to diagnosis and treatment.
One drug rehabilitation program, Narconon Arrowhead, believes they have the answer to the crisis on hand.
“The Narconon Arrowhead drug rehabilitation program is fully able to handle any case of drug addiction regardless of age,” explained Derry Hallmark, Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and Senior Director for Expansion for Narconon Arrowhead, “We have thorough experience with every demographic, ranging from young to old and have one of the highest success rates in the country for permanent recovery from addiction.”
Narconon is one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation programs in the world and, with a 70% success rate, has helped thousands of addicts find permanent sobriety.
“It is never too late to seek out help for your drug or alcohol addiction,” adds Hallmark. “We have counselors available 7 days a week that can help..”
For more information on Narconon program or to get drug rehabilitation help for an addiction for yourself or a loved one contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 800-468-6933.
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