More addiction programs in the U.S. are opening special treatment centers to accommodate growing numbers of addicts over age 50, the New York Times reported March 6.

The Hanley Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., which only accepts patients aged 55 and older, is the nation's best known program for older addicts. "We have different health issues, different emotional issues, different grief issues," said Patrick Gallagher, 66, a Hanley Center patient. "We need more peace and quiet and a different pace."

In addition to special inpatient and outpatient treatment programs for older addicts, some programs that treat addicts of all ages are adding counselors trained in elder issues. Screening of older Americans for drug problems also has increased.

Experts are bracing for a wave of Baby Boomers who are dealing with addiction issues as they depart middle age. For example, federal data shows that about 10 percent of those entering treatment in 2005 were over age 50, up from 8 percent in 2001, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is predicting that there will be 4.4 million older people in the U.S. with drug problems by 2020, up from 1.7 million in 2001.

Such numbers are "likely to swamp the system," said SAMHSA research coordinator Deborah Trunzo.

Hanley officials note that older addicts can't all be lumped into a single group, either: addicts in their early 50s are the fastest-growing cohort entering treatment, but often have little in common with more elderly patients. Both tend to struggle primarily with alcohol addiction and prescription-drug abuse, but addiction to other drugs like cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine is more common among the "young old," experts said.