The number of pensioners admitted for snorting cocaine has soared by a third in two years, with several aged in their 90s.
The number of pensioners admitted for snorting cocaine has soared by a third in two years (Image: Getty)
Hospitals are seeing a surprising and worrying new trend – elderly patients turning up not for bingo mishaps, but after snorting cocaine. Recent NHS data has shown that 723 pensioners were admitted between March 2023 and March 2024 for cocaine-related issues, including a handful in their 90s.
Many use the Class A drug to try to treat ailments that cannot be fixed on the NHS. According to the health service statistics, those who sought medical help included 70 aged 75-79, 28 in their 80s and eight who were in their 90s. While 156 OAPs were treated for longer-lasting addictions, others needed treatment for withdrawal, depression or psychosis that may have been caused by cocaine use. Of the 23,644 treated for the highly addictive drug, pensioners made up 3%.
Over-65 admissions were a third higher than in 2022-23 and four and a half times higher than in 2014-15 (Image: Getty)
Nevertheless, over-65 admissions were a third higher than in 2022-23 and four and a half times higher than in 2014-15, when 164 of them were seen by doctors.
Zaheen Ahmed, from drug addiction experts UKAT, said: “Some older people experiment with cocaine because they have more disposable income, fewer responsibilities, and more free time.
“Others may be using it as a way to cope with loneliness, bereavement or the mental health challenges that can come with ageing.”
According to The Sun, the expert added that those who used it when younger may be returning, not realising that age-related health conditions and prescribed medication make it much more dangerous.
The UK is known as the cocaine capital of Europe, with a reported 873,000 taking the drug in 2020 (Image: Getty)
Cocaine (hydrochloride) is a white powder derived from the leaves of the coca plant. A powerful central nervous system stimulant that is usually sniffed up the nose, it increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. The effects of cocaine are immediate and include feelings of euphoria, increased alertness and talkativeness. However, the short-lived effects can quickly lead to cocaine addiction as users feel encouraged to repeatedly take cocaine to maintain the euphoric effects. Cocaine can also make the user feel anxious and create feelings of paranoia.
The UK is known as the cocaine capital of Europe, with a reported 873,000 taking the drug in 2020, according UKAT. In 2020 alone, there were 777 cases of death by cocaine poisoning in England and Wales.
Possession of cocaine is treated as a very serious offence in the UK. Cocaine is classified as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which means the consequences can be severe. Even being found with a small amount can lead to an arrest, criminal charges and a permanent criminal record. Class A possession can lead to up to seven years in prison, while Class B – including cannabis and ketamine – up to five years.
