Final answer:
Substance abuse in older adults usually develops as a coping mechanism for managing life stressors, emotional pain, or physical discomfort, and can lead to substance use disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Substance abuse by older adults usually develops as a mechanism of coping (C).
In the context of older adults, substance abuse often emerges as a method for managing various life stressors, emotional pain, or physical discomfort. This coping mechanism may be a response to personal losses, chronic pain, or the psychological distress associated with aging. In this demographic, the substance of choice might be alcohol, prescription drugs, or even over-the-counter medications.
An important consideration is that the elderly may also be subject to polypharmacy, where they are prescribed multiple medications, which can inadvertently lead to misuse if not monitored carefully. Additionally, sleep disturbances can lead individuals to self-medicate in an attempt to manage their symptoms. However, more often than not, it's the underlying need to cope with life's challenges that drives substance use.
This coping strategy can lead to compulsive use of a substance such as a psychoactive drug despite the negative consequences that such use may entail, potentially evolving into a substance use disorder. The behavior is concerning due to the vulnerability of older adults to the side effects and interactions of substance use.