It’s a headline that might have seemed unthinkable a decade ago: hundreds of pensioners across the United Kingdom are being admitted to hospital for cocaine use, with the numbers rising sharply in recent years. According to data reported by Metro and The Sun, 723 people over the age of 65 sought medical help for issues related to cocaine in the 12 months leading up to March 2025. This represents a startling 33% increase in just two years and is more than four times the number recorded a decade ago, when only 164 pensioners were treated for cocaine-related issues.
While the image of the typical cocaine user might conjure up someone far younger, the statistics tell a different story. Among the 723 pensioners treated, eight were over 90 years old, 28 were in their 80s, and 70 were aged between 75 and 79. The majority of these elderly patients didn’t just seek help for cocaine use alone; most also required treatment for other conditions upon admission, ranging from withdrawal symptoms to depression and psychosis potentially linked to cocaine.
To put these numbers in perspective, the United Kingdom is home to approximately 12.6 million people aged 65 and over, accounting for 19% of the population as of 2025—a figure projected to rise to 25% by 2050. While 723 pensioners may sound like a lot, they represent just 3% of the 23,600 people treated for cocaine use in the most recent year of data. Still, the rapid increase among older adults is drawing attention from health experts, policymakers, and the public alike.
What’s behind this surge in so-called “silver snorters”? Experts point to a complex mix of social, psychological, and demographic factors. Zaheen Ahmed, a spokesperson for the drug addiction support group UKAT, told The Sun, “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.”
Ahmed also raised concerns that some pensioners may be revisiting habits from their youth, without fully understanding how age-related health conditions or prescribed medications can make cocaine use much more dangerous. “Those who used it when younger may be returning, not realising age-related health conditions and prescribed medication make it much more dangerous,” he said. This echoes a broader trend of older adults facing unique risks when it comes to substance abuse, as their bodies are often less resilient to the effects of drugs and are more likely to be managing chronic illnesses or taking medications that interact poorly with illicit substances.
Of the pensioners admitted to hospital, more than 150 were battling long-term cocaine addiction, while others needed acute treatment for withdrawal symptoms, depression, or psychosis that may have been triggered by cocaine use. The data suggests that while some elderly users are experimenting or coping with difficult life transitions, a significant portion are struggling with entrenched addiction that may have roots going back decades.
But the issue isn’t just about health. Pensioners have even found themselves at the center of high-profile cocaine-related crimes. In a case that made headlines in September 2025, Canadian national Ronald Lord, aged 71, was sentenced to six years in prison after attempting to smuggle £640,000 worth of cocaine into the UK using his mobility scooter. According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), border force officers discovered the hidden stash after X-raying the scooter at Gatwick Airport. The case was a stark reminder that age is no barrier to involvement in the illegal drug trade, whether as users or, in rare cases, as traffickers.
The UK’s cocaine market is, according to the NCA, the largest in Europe. The consequences are grim: there were 1,100 cocaine-related deaths in 2023, a staggering rise from just 11 in 1993. While the highest death rate is still found among so-called “Generation X” men aged 40 to 49, the growing number of older users is a worrying trend for public health officials. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has flagged this demographic shift, highlighting the need for age-appropriate drug education and intervention programs.
What’s fueling this shift? The answer seems to lie partly in demographics. As the UK’s population ages, the number of older people engaging in behaviors once considered the domain of the young—including drug use—naturally increases. Some experts argue that today’s pensioners may have had more exposure to recreational drugs in their youth, making them more likely to return to these substances later in life, especially as retirement brings more free time and, for some, increased disposable income.
But there’s also a more troubling side. Loneliness, bereavement, and mental health challenges are all cited as factors pushing some pensioners toward drug use as a form of self-medication. Ahmed’s comments underscore the importance of addressing the underlying social and emotional needs of older adults, rather than simply focusing on the drugs themselves. “Others may be using it as a way to cope with loneliness, bereavement or the mental health challenges that can come with ageing,” he said.
Despite the rise, experts caution against sensationalizing the trend. With pensioners making up just 3% of all those treated for cocaine, the vast majority of older adults are not using illegal drugs. Still, the spike in hospital admissions is a wake-up call for health services, social workers, and families alike. The intersection of substance abuse, aging, and mental health is a complex one, requiring coordinated responses across the health and social care systems.
For now, the data is clear: cocaine use among the elderly is on the rise, and the consequences can be severe—both for individuals and for the health system as a whole. As the UK’s population continues to age, the challenge will be to ensure that support systems are in place to help older adults navigate the unique pressures they face, and to prevent a growing public health problem from becoming a crisis.
As the country grapples with the realities of an aging society, the story of the “silver snorters” serves as a stark reminder that drug abuse knows no age limit—and that the solutions must be as multifaceted as the problem itself.
