The elderly and the use of illicit drugs: sociological and epidemiological considerations.

Debates over the prevalence of elderly illicit drug addicts in the population divert our attention from this group as a viable study population. Due to their decelerated lifestyle, low crime rates, and our attitudes toward the elderly as nonstreet drug users, they are likely to remain hidden from the public eye. This paper reviews past trends in drug misuse among the elderly, the lifestyle of those addicted to drugs, the complications associated with drug misuse and aging, and the problems that the elderly face with traditional treatment programs. Given our aging society, is the study of elderly street addicts and users an important area of concern?