The Role of Age in Addiction Recovery
Addiction is a serious disease that can impact anyone, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, race, education, or any other demographic factor. Although anyone can be affected by addiction, age-focused addiction recovery is crucial to creating an effective recovery plan. In this article, we will explore how addiction affects individuals of different ages and what type of treatment options can help.
Teenagers and Addiction
Teenagers are exposed to many unique challenges and are increasingly exposed to addictive substances. Academic pressures and social influences are common factors that can lead teenagers to use drugs and alcohol. While not every teenager who uses drugs or alcohol will develop an addiction, those who begin using these substances earlier in life are at a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder.
Addressing the use of drugs and alcohol, social pressures, personal pressures, and common stress around this age is necessary to address addiction recovery in teenagers.
Young Adults and Addiction
Young adults are often starting their professional lives and facing new degrees of freedom. The newfound freedom can be dangerous as young adults may not have the skills or strategies to recognize when the use of addictive substances may be becoming problematic. Coupled with new professional stresses, social stresses, new financial responsibilities, and more, it is common for young adults to look to available stress-relief outlets such as drugs and alcohol.
Parents and Substance Use
Parents face many stresses that can lead to the development of a substance use disorder. The stresses inherent in parenting can be emotionally trying, with feelings of entrapment or as if one is out of control of their own schedule commonplace. However, parents also face a unique hurdle when a child moves out. This newfound feeling of “emptiness” in a given household can bring feelings of isolation, depression, and more, often called “empty nest syndrome.” It is common for parents to fill this sudden influx of free time by engaging in drugs or alcohol.
Seniors and Addiction
Seniors and those in retirement can commonly experience feelings of isolation and depression. In retirement, seniors may face boredom or feelings of loneliness that can lead to the use of addictive substances. Coupled with the other trials of aging or the necessity of prescription drugs, the use of addictive substances is increasingly common among seniors.
The Role of Age in Addiction Recovery
Age can greatly inform each person’s best treatment and recovery practices. For many, age can dictate how they engage in effective group therapy treatment. Being surrounded by peers of similar age or who are overcoming similar challenges is crucial for creating an atmosphere of camaraderie, with groups of similarly-aged individuals necessary to break down unnecessary barriers.
Ensuring that addiction treatment can address not only the stresses of each unique age group in overcoming addiction, but provides direct ways to address the needs of those in recovery, is important to create an effective treatment plan.
Finding the Best Addiction Recovery for Your Age
Addiction can affect anyone, regardless of age. It’s important to find the most effective and practical recovery therapies to fit your needs and goals. Personalized recovery programs can be tailored to fit your unique age and address your unique journey with addiction and recovery.
Addiction can impact anyone, regardless of age. However, the role of age in the development of addiction is crucial to creating an effective recovery plan. Understanding the unique challenges and stressors that individuals of different ages face and creating a personalized addiction recovery program is essential for successful long-term recovery. At Buena Vista Recovery, we are committed to helping you find the most effective and practical recovery therapies to fit your needs and goals.