Changing “substance abuse patterns” among 50-plus Americans

I can think of no useful marketing use for this information but I thought it was worth passing on in case you can.

I hate the term “substance abuse” but cannot think of any better one to use.

The chart shows the primary cause of treatment for the 50-plus and how it has changed during the past 16 years.

In the UK we hear a lot of press comment about the problems of older people drinking too much. Either we Brits are very different from our American cousins or the reality is very different to the way it is reported, since it would seem that the biggest problem is now prescription drugs. This would not be the first time that there is a mismatch between the media/political rhetoric and reality. Dick Stroud