By Karli Rymer, Wellspring Center for Prevention intern Growing older brings on many changes in life. This includes changes in health, lifestyle, family obligations, work roles, and sources of support. These changes the elderly face are accompanied by physical pain, stress, loneliness, and loss of mobility. It is no wonder why elderly people may turn to alcohol and drugs in later life. The very real struggles of aging may impel seniors towards substance abuse or exacerbate a problem that has been developing for years. In fact, there are 2.5 million older adults with an alcohol or drug problem. The severity of the substance abuse and elderly issue rests in some staggering statistics. Approximately 14% of elderly emergency hospital admissions are a result of alcohol or drug problems as well as 20% of elderly psychiatric hospital admissions. Almost 50% of nursing home residents have alcohol related problems. Widowers over the age of...