Generations and Addiction
Addiction Treatment
Age influences everything from knowledge to style to addiction treatment. Whether you are a Baby Boomer, Generation X, or Millennial, you know this to be true. Experts in addiction health have started to track how age impacts substance abuse. What their studies have revealed is that generations tend to follow drug patterns.
Certain addictions flow through generations at higher rates than they do in others. By evaluating the numbers for different substances across generations, we can identify patterns. These patterns help rehab centers like ours gather insight and create personalized addiction treatment programs based on an individual’s specific needs and history.
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Generational Preferences
Baby Boomers (born between 1943 and 1962):
Baby boomers grew up in a time when we understood little about the impacts of substance abuse. They had very different life experiences than the generations following them did, and many of these experiences were challenging to handle. They lived through war and other challenging moments in time.
As such, substance use received less attention. Additionally, medical science was considerably flawed at the time. A relaxed approach to substance use is one result of these different experiences. And in 2014, over a million individuals over 65 had a substance use disorder.
Research shows that baby boomers’ preferred substances are alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, and sedatives. As a normalized substance, it’s no surprise that alcohol made the list. It made the list for each generation studied. Of the million individuals mentioned above, 978,000 had an alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol is a part of most social gatherings, celebrations, and holidays. It is easy to access, generally affordable, and not seen as taboo like harder substances might be. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance. Many individuals are surprised to see this statistic. As it has become legalized in several states in the U.S., much of its stigma has been removed.
Yet, it remains illegal on a federal level. Marijuana is addictive. It impacts your short-term memory, learning abilities, focus, and physical coordination. It can also increase your heart rate and damage your lungs over time. Baby boomers were young during the 60s when marijuana use was incredibly common. Many have carried this habit with them throughout their lives.
Chronic health conditions and various prescriptions may complicate substance use in older adults. Stimulants and sedatives are common in this age group. Both were reported in much higher numbers than in other generations. After World War II, amphetamines (stimulants) were prescribed regularly. They were used to treat depression. Easy access and a lack of understanding have certainly contributed to the substance use choices of this generation.
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Generation X (born between 1963 and 1982):
In Generation X individuals, alcohol was again the most abused substance. The numbers were nearly a match for the previous generation. Marijuana was the second most common substance in Generation X individuals, but usage was at much lower levels than for Baby Boomers. Psychotherapeutics ranked third.
These are used to treat depression and other mental health disorders. They are also common in schizophrenic patients and those with manic-depressive disorders. In the medical community, we were becoming more aware of the effects of certain drugs. However, we were not quite there yet.
Prescriptions were still given more often than they should have been. Even if you have been battling addiction for years, addiction treatment can help.
Millennials (born between 1983 and 2002):
Millennials have shown a preference for alcohol, marijuana, and painkillers. Alcohol again was the top choice. Alcohol and marijuana use were comparable to previous generations. However, painkiller abuse outranked any other generation by a landslide.
This is proof that the opioid epidemic is alive and is not going away anytime soon. Addiction treatment can help you overcome a wide range of addictions. Help is available, affordable, and closer to home than you might think.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Across all generations, alcohol addiction treatment can help you take your life back. When it comes to alcohol addiction treatment, you have several options. The best one for you will be chosen depending on a variety of individual factors.
The level of care you need can change depending on how long you’ve been addicted and how often you drink. Your family and work responsibilities will also be contributing factors in the decision. If you can manage a 30, 60, or 90-day inpatient stay, this is typically best.
Other options that may be available to you include:
- A medically-assisted detox
- A partial hospitalization program
- A residential stay
- Outpatient treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment
We’ll work with you to determine the best course of action. This is true across the board. Alcohol and drug addictions should be addressed per individual. That’s why each treatment plan we prescribe is unique. We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Your alcohol addiction treatment will be as unique as you are.
Drug Addiction Treatment
Substance abuse disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders in the overall population. These disorders are often passed on from previous generations. With effective addiction treatment, you can end the cycle today.
Substance abuse may run in your family, but you can do your part to end it by removing yourself from the mix. You deserve to receive customized, proven addiction care. Resurgence Behavioral Health can set you on the right track. Many of our patients experience simultaneous drug and alcohol addictions. This is common, and we are ready to treat them together.
Other patients may experience an addiction with an underlying mental health condition. This is called a dual diagnosis. We can help with this, too. Our team of dedicated addiction health experts can treat a variety of conditions. All you have to do is reach out for help. From there, we will be able to guide you through the next steps.
Among the most common treatments in our California rehab facilities include:
- Alcohol addiction treatment
- General drug addiction treatment
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Opiate addiction treatment
- Cocaine addiction treatment
- Heroin addiction treatment
This list is not all-inclusive. By providing some information on common addictions, we hope to give you the push you need to ask for more. When you call our facility, our friendly, knowledgeable experts will answer your questions. They will also ask a few of their own. An initial intake will help us evaluate your addiction and the best options to use to help overcome it.
Our conversations are confidential and meant only to help guide you in your recovery. When you speak to them, you can also discuss the cost of alcohol and drug addiction treatment. It may be more affordable than you would think. Most major health insurance providers offer addiction treatment coverage, and we are happy to accept most major providers.
We can provide fast and free insurance verification for you. We can also discuss alternative payment options. These will help ease the burden if you do not have insurance, or your coverage falls short.
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Resurgence Behavioral Health Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Centers
Resurgence Behavioral Health centers are located in the beautiful state of California. We have dedicated years to developing the best programs and addiction treatment methods. And we use them to improve the lives of our patients, their families, and the communities we serve.
No addiction is too complicated. We offer addiction treatment that works. See the Resurgence Behavioral Health difference for yourself.
