30/10/24 - New report spotlights increasing alcohol and other drug harms in older Australians
The serious and increasing levels of harm older Australians face from alcohol and other drugs can no longer be ignored, a new Alcohol and Drug Foundation report released today has shown.
The report analyses trends around alcohol and other drug harms in older Australians (aged 50 yrs and above), highlighting particularly high levels of harm from alcohol and prescribed medications, with the use of multiple substances identified as one risk factor.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s CEO, Dr Erin Lalor AM, said older people were dying from alcohol and other drug related causes at a rate almost two times higher than other ages, proving urgent action was needed.
“We know that older people are often overlooked in alcohol and other drug harm reduction efforts, and this cannot continue,” Dr Erin Lalor said.
“Older people drink more regularly than any other age group, and around one third are drinking at risky levels – we know that for many, these have been lifelong habits.
“This research demonstrates the long-term impacts these habits can have, as we witness spikes in hospitalisations and treatment episodes among older people for harmful alcohol use.
“The non-prescribed use of medications and multiuse of substances is another high-risk issue – around two-thirds of overdose deaths in older adults involve more than one drug type.
“This is really concerning as we’re seeing an ageing group of Australians using illicit drugs and increasing rates of prescriptions dispensed to older people for strong medications such as opioids.
“As Australia’s population ages, we need to act fast to reduce the increased risk of harm this group faces, including better targeting them with tailored information about the risks of alcohol and other drug use.
“Our research shows this is best done through health providers and social peer groups, but we know conversations around alcohol and other drug use rarely occur in these environments – we must better equip them to do so.
“Older men and those aged 50 to 59 experience a greater risk of harm than others, so prevention and harm reduction efforts should be further tailored and targeted to suit these groups.”
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation commissioned the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney to develop the analysis report behind today’s recommendations.
NDARC Deputy Director and Drug Trends Program Lead, Dr Rachel Sutherland said the report increases understanding of older adults who experience the greatest harm from alcohol and other drug (AOD) consumption and identifies high risk groups and risk factors.
“In addition to men and those aged 50 to 59, older adults who use alcohol, opioids and/or benzodiazepines, amphetamine-type stimulants and cannabis may benefit most from interventions to reduce harms,” Dr Sutherland said.
“Our findings suggest that using drugs at home alone, remoteness area, polysubstance use and psychosocial risk factors should be considered when developing such interventions.”
-ENDS-
Media contact: Mikayla Wearne, 0430 948 380 or media@adf.org.au.
BACKGROUNDER
About the ADF:
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) is Australia’s leading organisation committed to inspiring positive change and delivering evidence-based approaches to minimise alcohol and other drug (AOD) harm. As an evidence-based organisation, the ADF has a key strategic focus on ‘knowing what works’ and aims to build the knowledge base and understanding of effective AOD harm minimisation policies and programs.
About NDARC:
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney, is Australia's leading research group in the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector. NDARC has been at the forefront of evidence-based responses to health challenges associated with alcohol and other drugs since 1986. Through our rigorous research programs and partnerships, NDARC continues to make significant contributions towards addressing the complex challenges associated with drug and alcohol use in contemporary society.
About this research project:
The ADF undertook an in-depth research project to better understand national trends in alcohol and other drug related harms among older adults (aged 50 and above) and identify effective evidence-based harm minimisation approaches that could be tailored for this age group. This work was funded by the Department of Health, Victoria.
The ADF engaged NDARC as our research project partner. Together, we developed an analysis report which includes data and trends in AOD-related hospitalisations, deaths, treatment episodes and past year use among older Australians. As well as the identification of older adult sub-groups at higher risk, and risk factors.
A rapid review of evidence-based approaches to minimise AOD-related harm among older adults was also undertaken to identify preferred information and information sources, effective interventions, and any gaps and areas for future research.
The research findings were used to develop recommendations for minimising AOD-related harm among older Australians.
The summary report can be found on the ADF’s website here. For more in-depth information and to view the full report, visit the NDARC website here.