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Old... “alcky” and queer!
Wednesday, 29 July 2009.
Originally from express article 29 July 2009
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| Diana Rands from CADS. |
I loved the ‘express’ issue that focussed on getting older. The cover was gorgeous, along with the people profiled inside. Very inspiring!!
Age happens to us all, in fact with the aging baby boomers there are more of us in the 'older' bracket than ever before. Personally I love the fact that I have 47 years of experience behind me – the wonderful memories, along with the times I would like to forget... Hopefully I have learned from my mistakes – and I certainly don’t agonise about them, like I used to!
For anyone with problems around their alcohol and drug use – it can be a very different picture. It is understandable why members of our rainbow community who are now in their 60’s and 70’s may have turned to drink: they experienced very hostile times with many people having to hide their sexuality living in a world where homosexuality was seen as depraved, immoral, and of course illegal until 1986. It was even harder for our transgender brothers and sisters.
Not that I am saying that it is perfect today! We still live in a world that tells us we are deviant, and one of the biggest barriers to even thinking about changing our alcohol and drug use is self-loathing and helplessness. This is particularly difficult for older people when society perceives them as past their 'use by' date. So – what can we do for our older queers?
Often older people need practical support rather than counselling; older lesbians, gays and transgender people can face discrimination that us younger more confident queers do not face like discrimination in housing, public accommodation, health services, even those basic rights like getting insurance.
For many older queers there is a lack of younger family members to advocate for them, and their isolation from others can be increased due to their use of alcohol and other drugs. This leads to an increased vulnerability: for example, some medical problems faced by an older person can be exacerbated by their use of alcohol and other drugs, and that's sometimes missed by health services.
Older people might be taking a variety of medications that when mixed with alcohol and other drugs can be dangerous. One rule of thumb is never mix alcohol with other drugs that have a sedative effect, e.g. Benzodiazepines like Diazepam (Valium), Oxazepam, Clonazepam, Xanax (alprazolam), Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics like Zopiclone (Immovane), Stilnoct, Opiates like codeine, anaesthetics like ketamine).
Heavy drinking that develops in later life is often associated with loss which can come from the bereavement of a partner or friends, or a job, or the isolation that can come with retirement. A daily or even weekly phone call can make a huge difference to a person who has had a recent loss.
And last but not least we need to make sure we look after the often invisible support people of our older community (i.e. younger or healthier partners, whanau, neighbours, health workers). They do the hard yards – often putting their own needs second. Let’s celebrate these people – take them out to dinner, tell them what an amazing job they are doing.
A little thanks can go a long way!
If you need to find out about alcohol and drug treatment services near you, please call the Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797.
> More items from Di's Drug Column
