Featuring Dr. Rodney Collins — addiction psychiatry specialist, medical director and addictionologist at Hozer Detox and Recovery, and founder of New Vision Medical Group in Beverly Hills. Dr. Collins practiced emergency medicine for 8 years before completing his psychiatry residency at UCLA, and has spent the past 15 years dedicated to the field.
What does substance abuse after 50 actually look like?
Dr. Collins sees it most often in empty nesters and people whose busy lives suddenly slow down after 50 — leading to isolation. Medications originally prescribed for legitimate reasons, like muscle relaxants, anxiety medication, or post-surgical pain relief, can shift into misuse when someone starts taking them simply because they like how the medication makes them feel, not for the original medical reason.
Why does addiction increase after 50 specifically?
This stage of life often brings a slower pace and real losses — parents pass away, siblings die, and people find themselves isolated in complicated grief without the meaningful daily activities they used to have. That gap is often where substances start to feel like relief.
How do people cross the line into addiction without realizing it?
Dr. Collins calls it “the invisible line” — most people don’t recognize the exact moment they cross from occasional use into needing a substance just to function normally. Shame and stigma often keep people from acknowledging it even to themselves.
How do I know if my drinking or medication use has become a problem?
Some direct questions worth asking yourself: Do you drink before noon? How many days a week do you actually take a break from drinking or a medication? These same questions apply to prescription use, not just alcohol. Dr. Collins shares a real example: a woman recovering from shoulder surgery used her prescribed pain medication to cope with a breakup as much as the physical pain — and became addicted without ever intending to.
How is addiction after 50 treated?
It starts with awareness — recognizing and naming the problem — followed by seeking a therapist or psychiatrist. Sometimes an intervention is necessary; Dr. Collins emphasizes approaching it directly but with love. Treatment can range from outpatient programs to detox and sober living settings (typically 20-60 days), depending on severity. Returning to the same environment where the addiction started, before developing real coping skills, is generally not recommended.
What’s the biggest risk factor for addiction after 50?
Isolation. Dr. Collins points to the sharp rise in alcohol and drug abuse during COVID as a clear example of how much mental health depends on environment and connection. Getting out of the house, exercising, and maintaining real human interaction are protective factors — therapy is a good starting point, and much of it is now available online, but isolation itself needs to be addressed directly.
Want the full conversation?
Watch the full interview with Dr. Rodney Collins on the Fifty Up Health and Beauty YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/P6YFipGaWtE?si=QSy67PacDwn1iNEk If you’re concerned about your own drinking or medication use, Dr. Collins’ advice is simple: talk to your primary care physician honestly about how you’re feeling — being open enough to say “I have a problem” is the first and most important step.
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