Which of the following is the most commonly abused drug among older adults?

• A. Cocaine
• B. Marijuana
• C. Heroin
• D. Alcohol

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of the question: it asks about the most commonly abused drug among older adults, which involves knowledge of substance use patterns in this demographic.
2. Recall that substance abuse prevalence varies by age group, and older adults tend to have different patterns compared to younger populations.
3. Consider common substances that are legally and socially accessible to older adults, such as alcohol, which is often more prevalent than illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin, or marijuana.
4. Recognize that alcohol is widely used and can be abused by older adults due to factors like social habits, prescription interactions, and coping with life changes.
5. Conclude that among the options given, alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in older adults, based on epidemiological data and research in psychology and substance abuse studies.