Drug Abuse Within The Elderly Population

There is no doubt that there is a prevalence of substance abuse throughout several age groups. To a certain extent, a society is faced with the reality of controlling substance abuse. Or allow it run rampant throughout the community. Often times, we hear and read about the level of substance abuse among teen, young adults and mid-aged

Specific purpose: To inform my audience about the growing problem of prescription drug abuse, some common drugs that cause abuse, and their effects and some common treatments.

Although prescription drugs are often prescribed to alleviate pain and suffering, their abuse by individuals without a prescription or outside the realm of the

Most people are familiar with prescription medications; almost everyone has taken them at one point or another during their lifetime. Not all prescription drugs are addicting, but a large number of them are. Prescription drug abuse is a disease that has become a major problem in the United States, which affects over six-million Americans. Prescription drug abuse not only affects the individual, but can additionally have far-reaching consequences that affect family, personal health, employment, communities and society as a whole. Research has shown that at least 10% of people prescribed an addictive medication will become dependent on the medicine. Due to prescription drug abuse, states are beginning to monitor doctors who prescribe certain medications, more closely, which may scare some physicians away from prescribing helpful medications to people who truly need them.

Substance abuse in the elderly exists just as in any other population. Many seniors develop substance abuse problems due to circumstances or situations due to the aging process. A report by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that 17% of adults age 60 and older are affected by alcohol abuse and abuse of legal drugs.

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 41(5), 848-858. In the article above, the authors observe the increase in prescription drug abuse in patients to alleviate chronic pain. This is amid widespread efforts that promote responsiveness and control of chronic pain. In the study, Goebel et al. (2011) use self-reported incidences in veterans, citing the causative factors to the abuse. A cross sectional quantitative analysis of the results is then carried out. In results, the authors find out that 35.3% of 343 veterans reported street drug use, alcohol use and prescription sharing in controlling pain. A number of behaviours were also associated with the abuse behaviour. This article provides relevant information concerning drug abuse among older individuals. Furthermore, it blends with the topic at hand giving methods in which the use can be mitigated. 3. Hall, P. B., Hawkinberry, D., & Moyers-Scott, P. (2010). Prescription Drug Abuse & Addiction: Past, Present and Future:The Paradigm for an Epidemic. West Virginia Medical Journal, 106(2010), 25-30. Hall et al. (2010) liken the level of drug abuse in the United States to an epidemic, citing the need for exploratory research in the

Historically speaking, according to Narconon (2015), the issue of prescription drug abuse began in the 1800’s when consumers could self-prescribe medications such as cocaine and morphine. In the 1900’s, the Pure Food and Drug and Harrison Narcotic Tax acts were put into place as measures to control the sale and distribution of these substances (Narconon International, 2015). Today, the prescription drug problem continues to be a growing issue that has many consequences in our society.

One of the fastest growing epidemics in the United States is prescription drug abuse as reported by the DEA (Partnership for Drug Free Kids, 2013). All ages are guilty of abuse of medications, however, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (2016) reports young adults abuse these prescription drugs at the highest rates compared to all other age groups. The NIDA reports misuse and abuse is highest among opioid pain relievers, ADHD stimulants, and anti-anxiety drugs (NIDA, 2016). The use of these prescription drugs to treat a variety of physical and mental health issues is quickly becoming a top conservative treatment option. While pharmaceutical companies make extreme amounts of profit off of these physical and mental issues, young adults are increasingly taking on the consequences of addiction and overdose.

Prescription drug abuse and misuse is becoming a major public health issue in the United

Prescription drug abuse has been around since doctors started prescribing medication, but widespread prescription drug abuse and addiction has only surfaced in the last 20 years or so. Unfortunately because these drugs are continued to be abuse widely, there are concerns for physicians who are legitimately prescribing these medications to patients who truly need them. However there are doctors who recklessly prescribe these drugs to unknowing patients who form addictions to them. Prescription medications commonly abused include opioids often prescribed to treat pain, central nervous system depressants used to treat anxiety, and stimulants used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) as well as some sleeping disorders.

The issue of substance misuse and abuse among the elderly population is complex. The elderly rarely use alcohol or drugs to get high rather drug or alcohol use that begins after age 60 appears fundamentally different (Culberson & Ziska 2008). The elderly sometimes turn to alcohol and drugs to alleviate the physical and psychological pain from the onslaught of medical and psychiatric illness, the loss of loved ones or social isolation (Culberson & Ziska 2008). Elderly patients have a combination of and functional and social habits that support substance use. As adults age, they are often unable to do the social things they have been accustomed to. This is when many elderly persons begin to display problems doing the tasks of daily life. The option of taking a pill with the promise that it will aid in living independently is often a viable option for the elderly. This desire to remain independent is an important part in the complex treatment plan that is established when it comes to assisting an elderly patient who is abusing his or her medication.

Prescription drug abuse is the use of prescription drugs in the incorrect manner, whether it’s taking a larger dose, taking someone else’s drugs, injecting or snorting them, or simply using them to get high. The three types of drugs that are most abused are opioid painkillers, sedatives or anti-anxiety medication and simulants. Opioids are the most commonly used simply because they are easy to obtain. One of the seven deadly sins is pleasure without conscience. The abuse of prescription drugs is a direct reflection of this teaching. People destroy their bodies, life and relationships around them. Too many people are dying and abusing prescription drugs each year; creating informative programs in and out of school

The population of seniors and older adults are establishing an ever increasing concern to the United States and its system of health care. Life expectancy in America has increased and those who are blessed with old age are receiving all the side effects, from oral and health care concerns, to housing and nursing needs. Older adults are people aged sixty or older, and there is considerable data showing that substance abuse problems are common in this population but are mainly ignored. Substance abuse among older Americans is one of the fastest growing health problems in the country. Some reasons affecting substance use and abuse in older adults include social status, health levels, and lack of knowledge and data on the issue, while circumstances that might exacerbate the abuse include the participation of caregivers and the shame a denial of abuse. Health professionals often fail to identify drug problems in older adults for a variety of reasons, and lack of awareness means it is routinely misdiagnosed and undertreated, as symptoms often mimic depression, dementia, or diabetes. The baby-boom generation is substantially larger than previous ones and is placing greater strain on U.S. healthcare. When this is coupled with the lack of real advocacy for this particular population it means that the size and scope of this problem is likely

With the growing concern over the physical and mental health effects of substance abuse as the population of older adults continues to rise, the question is whether there are going to be enough treatment options available for this age group and if so, what type of treatment is best. With the aging population growing in the United States, the question is raised

I was surprised to hear that substance abuse is a growing epidemic among our elderly because when I think of the elderly I don’t think falling over on the floor drunk or sitting at a bar knocking drinks back. It really is an “invisible epidemic”. It was shocking to hear that because of insufficient knowledge, health care providers often overlook substance abuse among older adults and fail to diagnose them correctly. “Symptoms of substance abuse in older individuals sometimes mimic symptoms of other medical and behavioral disorders common among this population, such as diabetes, dementia, and depression.