August 
UK Hospitals see a rise in elderly cocaine users
UK Hospitals see a rise in elderly cocaine users.
A surprising trend in British hospitals
Hospitals across the UK are witnessing an unexpected new pattern of pensioners being treated for cocaine-related health problems.
According to The Sun, NHS data shows that 723 people over 65 were hospitalised between March 2023 and March 2024, marking a one-third rise in just two years.
Cases include patients in their 90s
Among those treated were 70 people aged 75–79, 28 in their 80s, and eight in their 90s.
Doctors report that while some were admitted for long-term addiction, others sought help for withdrawal, depression, or psychosis linked to cocaine use.
Rapid growth over the past decade
Older patient admissions for cocaine use are four and a half times higher than in 2014–15, when just 164 pensioners were treated.
Though those over 65 make up only 3% of all cocaine-related hospitalisations, the rate of increase has alarmed health officials.
Why some older adults turn to drugs
According to Zaheen Ahmed of UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT), some older people try cocaine because they have more disposable income, fewer responsibilities, and more free time.
Others use it to cope with loneliness, bereavement, or mental health challenges that often accompany ageing.
Returning to dangerous habits
Experts warn that some who experimented with cocaine in their youth may be returning to it later in life.
They may not realise that age-related health problems and prescribed medication make cocaine use much more dangerous, Ahmed told The Sun.
The UK’s ongoing cocaine crisis
The UK remains known as the cocaine capital of Europe, with around 873,000 people estimated to have used the drug in 2020.
That same year, 777 deaths in England and Wales were linked to cocaine poisoning, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Risks and legal consequences
Cocaine acts as a powerful stimulant, increasing alertness and euphoria but also leading quickly to addiction, anxiety, and paranoia.
It is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and possession alone can result in up to seven years in prison and a permanent criminal record.
A growing public health concern
Doctors say the trend among pensioners adds a new challenge for the NHS, as combining cocaine with common heart or blood pressure medications can be deadly.
Experts are urging more awareness and support for older adults, warning that addiction is no longer confined to the young.
This article is made and published by auk1, which may have used AI in the preparation
