Ten people in the UK between the ages of 90 and 99 were hospitalised for mental health issues after taking a Class A drug last year, according to the NHS Digital Report. The report shows that the number of over-60s treated for cocaine-related mental disorders increased to 379 in the period 2018-19, compared to 45 in 2008-2009.
Experts blame the increasing use on falling prices, the longevity of peoples’ lives and the higher purity of medicines by the elderly. Dr. Emily Finch of the Royal College of Psychiatrists described the rise as “deeply worrying.”
According to the Sunday Times, ‘Many people don’t realise that cocaine use can cause mental health problems, resulting in people becoming so unwell they need to be admitted to hospital.’ The report revealed the number of people over 50 treated for cocaine-related mental health disorders rose by 800% from 160 a decade ago to 1,460 last year.
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