Both alcohol and illicit drugs are among the top ten risk factors for mortality and morbidity in Europe and substance misuse by older people is now a growing public health problem. Between 2001 and 2031, there is projected to be a 50% increase in the number of older people in the UK. The percentage of men and women drinking more than the weekly recommended limits has also risen, by 60% in men and 100% in women between 1990 and 2006 (NHS Information Centre, 2009a). Given the likely impact of these two factors on health and social care services, there is now a pressing need to address substance misuse in older people.
This report has brought together a group of health professionals with expertise in substance misuse in older people, whose remit it has been to develop the existing knowledge base according to the following terms of reference:
- examining the nature and extent of substance misuse in older people
- identifying precipitants and complications
- highlighting best-practice guidance
- exploring training opportunities
- developing future strategy, encompassing clinical service provision and developments, training and education, research, and policy.
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