Prescription drug abuse has so far been associated with teenagers or the youth. When it comes to the elderly, it is usually believed that they are not susceptible to drug abuse. However, this is a misconception. In reality, drug and alcohol abuse by older adults is common, with people over the age of 60 being heavily addicted to illegal substances.
As per the 2016 statistics shared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), although people aged 65 years and above comprise only 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for more than one-third of the total outpatient spending on prescription medications.
The NIDA also shared that more than 80 percent of older adults aged between 57 and 85 years use at least one prescription medication on a daily basis, with more than 50 percent taking more than five medications or supplements every day. This high use of prescription drugs is dangerous as it increases the chances of them developing several health issues, apart from compounding the existing ailments.
Factors that lead to prescription drug abuse among seniors
Due to multiple medical conditions that onset with age, elderly people end up visiting several doctors who often prescribe different medicines for their prevailing health conditions. Thus, easy availability of this, legitimately, coupled with the need to consume them daily, to stay healthy, could be one of the major factors increasing the risk of prescription drug abuse in this age group.
Several physical, psychological and social factors, such as sadness after losing a partner or a loved one, or being far from the family, may also increase the risk of abuse. Interestingly, some elderly people are financially strong, which prompts them to indulge in doctor-shopping or buying medications in bulk.
At times, the elderly develop a tolerance toward a particular drug, which slows down the metabolism of the body, leading to a negative impact in the long run.
Misdiagnosis of prescription abuse among elderly
Prescription drug abuse is usually misdiagnosed in senior citizens. Some common reasons for this are:
- Insufficient knowledge
- Limited research data focusing on prescription drug abuse
- Overlapping symptoms of alcoholism and drug dependency
- Inadequate screening
Prescription drug abuse can be treated
It is normal to believe that elderly do not indulge in any sort of addiction or abuse. However, this does not always hold true. With a large number of senior citizens above the age of 60 years showing symptoms of prescription drug abuse, it has definitely become a matter of concern.
Helping the elderly stop abusing this can be a daunting task. However, once someone is sure that the seniors in his or her family are developing an addiction to drugs, it is important to seek help from medical professionals and help them recover from their addiction.
If you or someone you know is addicted to prescription drugs and is looking for prescription drug rehab centers, get in touch with the Prescription Drug Abuse Helpline of California. Call our experts at the 24/7 helpline number 855-738-2770, to get details about the best drug rehab.
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