IMPACT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE ON OLDER ADULT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1       Background of the study    -
1.2    Statement of the Problem    -    -    -    -
1.3    Objective of the Study    -    -    -    
1.4    Hypotheses    -    -    
1.5    Significance of Study    -    -    -
1.6    Scope of Study    -    -    -    -
1.7    Definition of Terms    -    -    -    
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
Review of Relevant Concepts    -    -    -    -
2.2    Effect of Substance Abuse    -    -    -    -
2.3    Review of Theoretical Framework    -    -
CHAPTER THREE
      Research Design    -    -    -    -    -    
3.2    Population of the Study    -    -    -    -
3.3    Sample and Sampling Techniques    -    -    
3.4    Instrument of Data Collection    -    -    -    -    -
3.5    Method of Data Collection    -    -    -    -
3.6    Validity of Research Instrument    -    -    -
3.7    Data Analysis    -    -    -    -    -
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION ON FINDINGS
Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    
4.0.1    Analysis Of Respondent Character    -    -    -
4.2.0    Analysis And Discussion Of Hypothesis    -    -    
4.2.1     Research Hypothesis 1    -    -    -    -
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1     Summary    -    -    -    -    -    -
    Conclusion    -    -    -    -
5.3     Recommendation    -    -    -    -    
REFERENCES    -    -    -    -    -
APPENDIX I    -    -    -    -
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1.1 gender of respondents    -    -    -    
Table 4.1.2 age of respondents    -    -    -    -    
Table 4.1.3 Level Of Education Of The Respondent    -    
Table 4.1.4 Marital Status Of Respondents    -    -    
Table 4.1.5 Religion Of Respondents    -
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1    Background of the study
Elderly, make up the largest growing segment of the population in the world. Over the next 18 years the U.S. Administration on Aging (2010) reports that the baby boom cohort, defined as those born between 1946 and 1964, will turn 65 years old at the rate of approximately 8,000 persons per day. By the year 2030, this population will make up approximately 19% of the total population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). As the size of the older adult population grows, so will the substance abuse issues among this cohort, which has been called an invisible and silent epidemic (Ferrell & Sorocco, 2006)
          Substance abuse, particularly of alcohol and prescription drugs, among adults 60 and older is one of the fastest growing health problems facing the world. Yet, even as the number of older adults suffering from these disorders climbs, the situation remains underestimated, under-identified, under-diagnosed, and under-treated. Until relatively recently, alcohol and prescription drug misuse, which affects up to 17 percent of older adults, was not discussed in either the substance abuse or the gerontological literature (D'Archangelo,1993; Bucholz et al., 1995; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1988; Minnis, 1988; Atkinson, 1987, 1990).
Insufficient knowledge, limited research data, and hurried office visits, health care providers often overlook substance abuse and misuse among older adults. Diagnosis may be difficult because symptoms of substance abuse in older individuals sometimes mimic symptoms of other medical and behavioral disorders common among this population, such as diabetes, dementia, and depression. Often drug trials of new medications do not include older subjects, so a clinician has no way of predicting or recognizing an adverse reaction or unexpected psychoactive effect.( United nation,2004)
Other factors responsible for the lack of attention to substance abuse include the current older cohort's disapproval and shame about use and misuse of substances, along with a reluctance to seek professional help for what many in this age group consider a private matter. Many relatives of older individuals with substance use disorders, particularly their adult children, are also ashamed of the problem and choose not to address it. Ageism also contributes to the problem and to the silence, Anderson (1995) state that Younger adults often unconsciously assign different quality-of-life standards to older adults. Such attitudes are reflected in remarks like, "Grandmother's cocktails are the only thing that makes her happy," or "What difference does it make; he won't be around much longer anyway." There is an unspoken but pervasive assumption that it's not worth treating older adults for substance use disorders. Ajala (2006) posit that Behavior considered a problem in younger adults does not inspire the same urgency for care among older adults. Along with the impression that alcohol or substance abuse problems cannot be successfully treated in older adults, there is the assumption that treatment for this population is a waste of health care resources, (Scribner, 2000)
These attitudes are not only callous, they rest on misperceptions. Most older adults can and do live independently: Only 4.6 percent of adults over 65 are nursing home or personal home care residents (Altpeter,1994). Furthermore, Grandmother's cocktails aren't cheering her up: Older adults who "self-medicate" with alcohol or prescription drugs are more likely to characterize themselves as lonely and to report lower life satisfaction (Hendricks, 1991). Older women with alcohol problems are more likely to have had a problem-drinking spouse, to have lost their spouses to death, to have experienced depression, and to have been injured in falls (Wilsnack & Wilsnack, 1995).
       The reality is that misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs take a greater toll on affected older aging also ushers in biomedical changes that influence the effects that alcohol and drugs have on the body. Alcohol abuse, for example, may accelerate the normal decline in physiological functioning that occurs with age (Gambert & Katsoyannis, 1995). In addition, alcohol may elevate older adults' already high risk for injury, illness, and socioeconomic decline (Tarter, 1995).
1.2    Statement of the Problem
It will be increasingly difficult for older adult’s substance abuse to remain a hidden problem as the demographic bulge known as the Baby Boom approaches old age early in the next century. Census estimates predict that 1994's older adult population of 33 million will more than double to 80 million by 2050 (Spencer, 1989; U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1996). Most of that growth will occur between 2010 and 2030, when the number of adults over 65 will grow by an average of 2.8 percent annually (U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1996). In 1990, 13 percent of Americans were over 65; by 2030, that bloc will represent 21 percent of the population (U. S. Bureaus of the Census, 1996).
Health care and social service providers who currently care for  age 60 and older will mainly encounter abuse or misuse of alcohol or prescribed drugs. Abuse of heroin and other opioids is rare, although some older adults misuse over-the-counter drugs that have a high alcohol content, such as cough suppressants. Many of these over-the-counter drugs negatively interact with other medications and alcohol. Problems stemming from alcohol consumption, including interactions of alcohol with prescribed and over-the-counter drugs, far outnumber any other substance abuse problem among older adults. Community prevalence rates range from 3 to 25 percent for "heavy alcohol use" and from 2.2 to 9.6 percent for "alcohol abuse" depending on the population sampled (Liberto. 1992).
1.3    Objective of the Study
1.         To examine the impact of substance abuse on older adult
2.   To investigate the extend at which substance abuse can impair decision making
3.        To determine the psychological effect of substance abuse on older adult
4.         To find out the effect of substance abuse on the social life of older adult
1.4    Hypotheses
Substance abuse will not significantly affect older adult.
Substance abuse will not significantly impact older adult decision making.
Substance abuse will not significantly impact on psychological wellbeing of older adult.
Substance abuse will not significantly impact on sexual relationship of older adult.
1.5    Significance of Study
This study  will be very beneficial to parent, lectures and government. This is due to the fact this study will expose us to know the impact of substance abuse on older adult. It will also educate us on the danger of substance misuse. However, it will also help to minimize substance abuse among older adult.
Policy maker, universities, government agencies and other social welfare agency, will also find this research useful.
1.6    Scope of Study
The study covers all older adult between the age of 65 and above.
1.7    Definition of Terms
 substance:    The real or essential part or element of anything; essence, reality, or basic matter.
 Abuse: This means the misuse of something. It can also be described as the illegal use of something.
 substance Abuse:   This is the misuse of drugs. It could be defined as the illegal use of substance which interferes with the human behavior.
 Impact: This could be defined as a powerful or major influence or effect
 addiction: This is a state of periodic or chronic intoxication, detrimental to the individual and society, produced by the repeated consumption of a drug
Psychological well¬¬¬-being: It is a mental stable state of mind of an individual that is considered to  be stable and balanced.
Decision making; Is regarded as the cognitive process resulting in the selection of a belief or a course of action among several alternative possibilities.
Social relationship: The sum of the social interactions between people over time. This can be a positive or a negative relationship.
Older adult: individuals over 65 years old who have functional impairments.