Why the Elderly Turn to Alcohol and Drugs

Selected Theories and Justification

This paper uses personality and lifespan development theories to examine why the elderly engage in alcohol and drugs. In this context, personality theory defines the characteristics of elderly adults and how they influence the possibility of them engaging in alcohol and drugs. Of the two, personality theory takes the larger part of the arguments primarily because individual characteristics directly affect how the elderly respond to different forms of substance exposure. Besides, it defines how they react to various circumstances that trigger substance abuse, such as levels of stress and depression. According to Bejda et al. (2021), there is a direct correlation between D personality and alcohol dependence. It determines how the elderly cope with emotions, anxiety, and stress. In a study conducted on 170 older men, a satisfaction life scale indicated that the older men are dissatisfied and have high-stress levels hence the power of personality effects. Some older men find it fit to engage in drugs and alcohol to fight these challenges.

Bejda et al. (2021) add that aging's psychological, social, and physiological effects contribute to alcohol usage. Multiple medical misdiagnoses have been attributed to alcohol effects on aging, such as malnutrition, cognitive impairment, and unsteady gait. The authors add those older adults often experience low economic and social status, high dependence, and loss of their loved ones. Consequently, they tend to engage in drinking alcohol. There are significant differences in how elderly adults respond to these challenges hence personality theory.

Lifespan development theory also backs the reasons for the elderly engaging in alcohol and drugs. The theory focuses on the series of changes in human life from birth to death. It gives the change in human anatomy and psychological, social, and physiological effects that determine how humans respond during a specific phase in life. According to Moran (2012), there has been a growing debate on the effects of aging on social impairment and understanding. Issues of cognitive abilities in lifespan development become conspicuous among older adults where numerous impairment cases become evident. Moran argues that during this phase of development, the mind becomes endangered. The quality of social interactions becomes compromised, exposing them to alcohol...

…feel less fitting or unwanted increases the risk of them seeking alternative or escapism methods to run away from the social challenges. One of the common alternatives is engagement in alcohol and drugs. However, older adults who receive substantial societal support are less likely to engage in substance abuse. Opioid addiction is another proof of elderly exposure to substance abuse. Chiappini et al. (2021) argue a growing prescription to fight opioid addiction among the elderly. This age set experiences challenging situations that compel them to engage in alcohol and drugs.

References

Bejda, G., Ku?ak-Bejda, A., Waszkiewicz, N., & Krajewska-Ku?ak, E. (2021, October 11). Type D personality, stress level, life satisfaction, and alcohol dependence in older men. Frontiers in psychiatry. Retrieved May 20, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8542794/

Best, D., Beckwith, M., Haslam, C., Alexander Haslam, S., Jetten, J., Mawson, E., & Lubman, D. I. (2016). Overcoming alcohol and other drug addiction as a process of social identity transition: the social identity model of recovery (SIMOR). Addiction Research & Theory, 24(2), 111123.

Chiappini, S., Schifano, F., Martinotti, G., Strasser, J. C., Bonnet, U., & Scherbaum, N. (2021). Opioid painkiller dependence in a sample of…