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Older adults face a growing risk of opioid addiction

New Jersey is one of the first states to address the issue

Updated:

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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.
Person pouring white pills from an orange container: Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Key Insights

  • Opioid overdose deaths in adults 65+ have increased by 300% since 2002, and in New Jersey, those aged 55-64 had the highest number of suspected overdose deaths in early 2025.
  • Opioid Safety & Alternatives” will take place on September 26 in Atlantic City, focusing on the challenges older adults face regarding opioid use and promoting safer pain management.
  • The summit aims to educate attendees about opioid risks, alternative pain management methods, and essential resources to prevent opioid dependency and support healthy aging.

For more than a decade, opioid addiction has been recognized as a growing public health threat, but the focus has mainly been on young people. However, public health statistics show that many older adults struggle with this affliction.

After all, seniors may be more likely to undergo surgeries. If they are prescribed opioids to manage the pain, they may become dependent on the drugs. New Jersey is one of the first states to address the issue.

On September 26, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and advocates will gather at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City to tackle this lesser-discussed but urgent issue at the N.J. Healthy Aging Summit: Opioid Safety & Alternatives, hosted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

Overdose deaths are up 300%

Research shows that the crisis among seniors has quietly escalated over the past two decades. Since 2002, opioid overdose deaths among adults aged 65 and older have surged by 300%, while emergency room visits for opioid-related complications among older Americans are up 16%. 

A recent analysis revealed that nearly one in eight seniors is prescribed an opioid each year — often for chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, post-surgical recovery, or other age-related ailments.

In New Jersey, the picture is particularly concerning. From January to April 2025, adults aged 55 to 64 recorded 87 suspected overdose deaths, more than any other age group in the state.

“Supporting healthy aging in New Jersey means confronting the realities of opioid dependency among older people,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ. “This summit is an important opportunity to raise opioid awareness and education among the older population, helping New Jersey residents better understand the risks and empowering them to seek safer, more informed approaches to pain management.”

Solutions to be offered

Health and aging experts will address the complex intersection between aging, pain management, and opioid use. Discussions are expected to cover safe prescribing guidelines, education around medication storage and disposal, and the growing need for practical, accessible alternatives to opioids — including physical therapy, non-opioid medications, acupuncture, and cognitive behavioral strategies for managing chronic pain.

Healthcare providers warn that seniors face unique challenges when it comes to opioids. Age-related changes in metabolism can make older bodies more vulnerable to addiction and overdose, while polypharmacy — the common practice of taking multiple medications — increases the risk of dangerous drug interactions. Social isolation, grief, and chronic health problems can further raise the likelihood of misuse.

Public health officials stress that reducing opioid dependence in older populations requires not only medical guidance but also stronger community support systems. Caregiver education, accessible treatment programs, and stigma reduction are all critical components in addressing the problem.