Center for Boomer Recovery

Based on years of experience and age-specific research, Hanley Center’s team of highly qualified professionals developed the pioneering, addiction recovery program Center for Boomer Recovery. The innovative holistic residential treatment program takes baby boomers through the recovery process by addressing a mindset, and the barriers to recovery that are unique to their generation.

Watch the video of Dr. Barbara Krantz, CEO, being interviewed on this past Saturday’s Early Show (CBS) re: the crisis of prescription drug abuse and the boomer generation. 33mb WMV video

Center for Boomer Recovery:

• Hanley Center typically recommends a 60- to 90-day residential treatment stay. If patients are seeking treatment for addiction to more than one drug, they can expect a longer detoxification period.
• After detoxification, assessment and the initial stabilization period, patients participate in the development of their holistic care plan setting realistic and achievable goals.
• A highly skilled, multi-disciplinary team monitors and continuously changes individual care plans.
• Specialty group therapy sessions designed for baby boomers include:
• Sex/intimacy (gender-specific)
• Anger
• “Sandwich” generation responsibilities
• Relationships: spouse, grand-parenting, family, “blended” family
• Grief and loss
• Issues at work
• Building a sense of purpose
• Hanley Center works on developing a supportive and healthy family dynamic with its three-day, on-site Family Program as a first step.
• The center emphasizes twelve-step support programs and as patients further stabilize it facilitates their attendance to off-site sober meetings.
• As baby boomers go through the recovery process, they learn about the disease of addiction and its bio-neurological basis.
• The center’s wellness approach includes non-addictive medications and holistic alternatives to treat chronic pain, which is vital to recovery and relapse prevention.
• The center often recommends continuing care and addresses pragmatic issues such as personal support, housing, work and finances in recovery and relapse prevention.

Realities of Boomer addiction :

• Baby boomers entering treatment often are facing major social challenges with relationships, careers, financial pressures, and legal troubles.
• Alcohol and prescription drugs, or both, are baby boomers’ substances of choice, yet illegal drug use may have continued or resurfaced from their youth.
• Diagnosis of other mental health or physical problems is prevalent among baby boomers entering treatment.
• Many of these other conditions may be exacerbated or even caused by the substance abuse, and accurate diagnosis can only be made after an individual is free of mood altering chemicals.
• As the population ages, chronic pain has become inseparable from addiction and it often complicates the recovery process.
• In addition to chemical addictions, baby boomers may enter treatment with process addictions, such as gambling, or eating disorders in women that need to be addressed.
• Many baby boomers find themselves taking medications that may have been prescribed for anxiety. However, because of the highly addictive nature of some of these medications, baby boomers can become chemically dependent.

Sobering facts :

• Substance abuse is rarely associated with individuals nearing retirement age, yet currently there are 4 million people in that age group afflicted by it, according to the December 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report: Illicit Drug Use among Older Adults published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
• Due to the large number of baby boomers (those born between 1946 to 1964), and their high rate of substance abuse, the number of adults 50 and over with a substance abuse disorder is projected to double to an annual average of 5.7 million in 2020 from 2.8 million in 2002-06.
• An estimated 4.3 million adults 50 or older, or 4.7 percent of adults in that age range, used an illicit drug in the past year.

• Baby boomers arrive for treatment at the Hanley Center taking an average of 4.5 prescription medications and an average of 3.5 over-the-counter medications.
• Approximately half of all baby boomers have tried illicit drugs in their lifetimes, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Age-related physiological, psychological and social changes make older adults more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of illicit drugs.