Final answer:
The claim that substance abuse is rare in late adulthood is false. Older adults face various risks for substance abuse, including medication misuse and emotional triggers such as loneliness or loss. Also, it can be underdiagnosed due to age-related misconceptions and inadequate screening.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that substance abuse is rare in late adulthood is false. While the prevalence and patterns of substance use may change with age, older adults are not immune to substance abuse issues. Factors such as loneliness, loss of loved ones, or chronic pain can lead to an increased risk of substance abuse in this population. Medication misuse is also a concern among the elderly, particularly as they often have multiple prescriptions, which can lead to unintentional misuse or dependence.
It is important to consider that substance abuse in late adulthood might be underreported or overlooked, due to misconceptions that it is solely a problem of the young. Furthermore, healthcare practitioners might not screen for substance abuse as rigorously in older patients as they do in younger ones, potentially leading to underdiagnosis. Treatment approaches may need to be tailored to the unique needs of this demographic, taking into account the social and physiological changes associated with aging.