Health experts are raising the alarm over an escalating crisis of drug-related harm among middle-aged individuals, particularly in the UK and Australia. Once associated with younger generations, cocaine and cannabis use is increasingly impacting those over 40, leading to soaring hospitalisations, devastating health complications, and rising death rates.

Anne Fernandez, Ph.D., an addiction psychologist, highlights the vulnerability of older adults to cannabis use due to interactions with medications and increased risks of mental health impacts and falls: “Older adults represent a vulnerable age group for cannabis use due to interactions with medications, risky driving, cannabis-related mental health impacts and increased possibility of falls and memory issues” (Michigan Medicine). A study on the experiences of drug use and ageing also notes the negative impacts on health and quality of life: “Drug use can have negative impacts on health status, quality of life, family relationships and social networks that accrue with age” (PMC).

Recent figures paint a stark picture. Hospital admissions linked to drug use among over-40s in England and Wales quintupled in the past decade, climbing from 209 to over 1,100. Cocaine-induced deaths have surged, with those in their late 40s now four times more likely to die from its use than individuals in their early 20s. The situation in Australia is even more severe, given its global lead in per capita cocaine use.

The risks are aggravated by age. Cocaine, in particular, poses a dangerous threat to the cardiovascular system of older users. Experts report that the drug damages arterial lining and disrupts nitric oxide production, causing blood vessels to constrict. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes—events more lethal in older bodies. Studies reveal that middle-aged cocaine users are nearly nine times more likely to experience life-threatening incidents like cardiac arrest than other patients admitted to intensive care.

The long-term effects extend to the brain, with research revealing an alarming acceleration of ageing in chronic cocaine users. Studies show significant shrinkage in critical brain areas responsible for decision-making, memory, and emotion regulation. Individuals in their 30s and 40s show changes more typical of people over 60, raising concerns about heightened risks of dementia in later life.

Equally worrying is the rise in cannabis use among baby boomers, who are continuing a habit developed in their youth. Long-term use has been linked to heart problems, neurological ageing, and cognitive decline. A recent study found cannabis users had smaller hippocampal regions—critical for memory—and were more susceptible to lasting cognitive deficits, placing them at higher risk for dementia.

The implications are profound. Experts fear this surge in drug-related health conditions could overwhelm healthcare systems already under immense pressure. The growing demand for specialised addiction treatment among older adults reflects the deeply rooted nature of the problem. Many have been abusing substances for decades, with today’s stronger, more potent drugs exacerbating the damage.

Cardiologists, neurologists, and addiction researchers are urging action and awareness. They warn that as ageing bodies are less able to cope with the harmful effects of drugs, the risks of continued use include irreversible health consequences and substantial societal costs. With ageing drug users forming a key part of this emerging crisis, the call for preventative measures and accessible treatment options has never been more urgent.

This worrying trend highlights the growing problem of recreational drug use among older adults—something health experts say can no longer be ignored.

Source: Daily Mail