The topics of addiction and aging are largely taboo in our society today, which strives for youth and health. Nevertheless, we live in an aging population structure where the use of addictive substances is often learned early on and employed as a means of regulating one's well-being. This work addresses the area of addiction in old age and explores intervention possibilities from the perspective of social work. In addition to explaining and analyzing the structure of aging in today's society and the resulting life situations of older individuals, potential resources and risk factors related to addiction are summarized. The field of addiction and its development is analyzed both generally and specifically for older adults, in order to subsequently develop appropriate interventions and particularities.