Prescription drug addiction is a problem among the senior population.
Prescription drug abuse is a growing concern across all walks of life and among every age group. The consequences for seniors, however, can be far more devastating due to their health and vulnerability. As these individuals get older, they are more likely to be exposed to prescription medications and like other prescription drug users, succumb to tolerance, dependency and ultimately, addiction.
About Prescription Drug Abuse
Despite controversy, many people abuse prescription drugs due to developmental changes within their brains and not because they lack willpower or ability to control their behaviors. They may increase the dose, or take the drugs more frequently to relieve unpleasant or unwanted symptoms and these repeat changes are what lead to compulsive behaviors to use more. Dependency results in withdrawal symptoms that range in severity and often are the compelling factor causing many to continue the abuse.
Prescription Drug Abuse in Seniors
According to a published study by the National Institutes of Health, “it is estimated that the number of adults of this age in need of substance abuse treatment will increase from 1.7 million in 2000 and 2001 to 4.4 million in 2020”. Seniors who are exposed to prescription drugs may be likely to misuse or abuse them because:
They are susceptible to more episodes of pain and the emotional stress that comes with it.
They are often prescribed an assortment of drugs for various purposes.
Seniors are more vulnerable to physical and psychological effects from the drugs, due to cognitive decline or other physical impairments that affect their ability to metabolize the drugs.
Memory impairments may lead them to use more than intended.
Other drugs they are prescribed may cause reactions for which they try to overcompensate for.
Their lack of experience and judgment regarding the side effects of prescription drugs makes them vulnerable to their use and abuse and safety becomes a grave concern.
They may live on a fixed income and share their medications in order to save money.
Recognizing Prescription Drug Abuse in Seniors
Like other prescription drug abusers, seniors present various signs when abusing prescriptions drugs such as:
Intentionally using prescription drugs frequently or in greater amounts than prescribed.
Tolerance – using increasingly higher amounts to achieve a desired effect.
Using someone else’s prescription drugs or using them recreationally.
Using prescription drugs in alternative ways such as snorting or injecting.
Physical deteriorations, impairments, or adverse changes including weight loss, impaired cognitive or motor functioning, lack of hygiene, neglect of health, excessive sleeping, or insomnia.
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once important or fun to them.
Increased anxiety or obsession over their next dose.
Increased mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, irritability, agitation, inability to order thoughts or focus, excessive memory loss, hyperactivity, violent outbursts and other aggressive, irrational, or uncontrollable behaviors.
Methamphetamine, more popularly known as meth or crystal meth, is a dangerous and all-encompassing drug. Smoked, snorted or injected, meth provides users with a long-lasting euphoric high. It does come with a cost, however. Meth is highly addictive, and is harmful to the physical and mental health of users. According to the National Institute on….
Free inpatient rehab centers do exist and can be exactly what many individuals are looking for who otherwise would not have been able to attend rehab because of the cost. But are free inpatient rehab centers worth the wait? Are the Waits for Free Rehab Centers Long? According to SAMHSA, only four percent of the….
There are a lot of things that Hollywood gets wrong. This is particularly true when it comes to drug addiction and rehab. Unfortunately, with actors, actresses, and other famous people do nothing to help. By flitting in and out of rehab as if they are changing clothes, all they do is perpetuate the myths. The….
There are various reasons as to why a person should get help from a meth rehab, but the ultimate reason is for them to regain control of their life. Meth rehab can provide a person with the mental and physical help they need to learn to manage their addiction and live drug free. Why Rehab….
Recently, the National Institute of Health announced that it will not pursue the proposed development of a single entity or institute that is devoted solely to addiction and substance abuse. This decision has many believing that the NIH is just not committed to making change and to stopping addiction in its tracks and this worries….
Women respond differently to treatment than men do and this is why some rehab centers are not co-ed. Differences in men and women, differences in the way that we respond to treatment and differences in the reasons why men and women use drugs make a one size fits all approach to treatment for both men….
In many cases, it is necessary for a person to attend inpatient drug rehab. Perhaps the drug the individual was abusing has caused them severe physical or psychological issues or they are in need of 24-hour surveillance and care. For whatever reason, inpatient care can be necessary, but it may also cause a patient to….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, no one type of rehab that works for every person. There is also more than one type of treatment center. The type of treatment center you choose depends on your addiction and your preferences. When you are considering addiction treatment, it is important to look at all….
Addiction is more than an individual problem. It has repercussions across a broad range of family dynamics with health and social implications that have reached epidemic proportions. According to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health,” In 2013, an estimated 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are a variety of treatment options available. Which one you choose is an extremely difficult and important choice. You should ask some questions before you choose a program to make sure that the program is right for you. 1. Do I want Inpatient or Outpatient Care?….
Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser.
By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.
