Troubling rise of the ‘silver snorters’: Treatment for over 60s cocaine users has shot up in the last year

The number of pensioners being treated for cocaine use has soared in the past year, shocking new figures have revealed.

Patients as old as 90 years old came to hospitals after taking the class A drug, many of whom are said to have suffered seizures and overdoses.

People over 60 were admitted 540 times, according to data from The sunwith the number including 85 patients aged 70 to 79, 11 in their 80s and three non-peers.

Experts have said the figures show a worrying trend in drug abuse, affecting all age groups and parts of society.

Although city workers and partygoers have developed a reputation for using the drug, an increase in the number of older users has led to those affected being dubbed 'silver sniffers' in recent years.

According to new data, people over 60 were admitted 540 times, with the number including 85 patients aged 70 to 79, 11 in their 80s and three non-peers (stock image)

Experts have said the figures show a worrying trend in drug abuse, affecting all age groups and parts of society (stock image)

Dr. Mateen Durrani, clinical expert at the UK Addiction Treatment Group, said: 'Cocaine users in their 60s, 70s and 80s may not be used to the power of the drug that has hit the market in recent years.

'This has led to greater problems directly related to their overall mental health.'

The hospital admission figures include both those experiencing the immediate consequences of cocaine use and those dealing with longer-term associated problems such as depression.

Figures show that in 2022, 517 people over the age of 60 were hospitalized with mental and behavioral problems related to cocaine use.

That figure was 25 percent higher than in 2020, and is double the number admitted in 2017 – indicating a sharp rise in drug abuse among older generations.