Table of Contents
What are the signs of addiction to prescription drugs?
Common symptoms of prescription drug abuse include:
- Drug-seeking behaviors.
- Taking higher doses than prescribed.
- Hostility.
- Appearing to be intoxicated, overly energetic, or lethargic.
- Changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
- Increased usage of alcohol.
- Mood swings relating to availability of prescription medications.
What kind of drugs are the elderly most likely to abuse?
Alcohol is the most used drug among older adults, with about 65% of people 65 and older reporting high-risk drinking, defined as exceeding daily guidelines at least weekly in the past year.
Which is the main substance of misuse among older adults?
Alcohol Use Despite increasing rates of illicit and prescription drug misuse among adults older than 65 years,5,6,10 alcohol remains the most commonly used substance among older adults.
What are the symptoms of prescription drug abuse in older adults?
Symptoms of prescription drug abuse can be hard to recognize in older adults. This is because they are similar to symptoms of aging. For instance, confusion and memory loss are symptoms of both. If you care for or spend time with an older adult, be aware of their medicines and behavior.
Why do doctors prescribe medications to seniors?
Doctors often prescribe older patients medications to help them cope with age-related physical and mental changes, such as depression, limited or painful mobility, and shorter, more irregular sleep cycles. Over time, seniors may develop a tolerance to a drug, so achieving the same “coping” effect requires larger and/or more frequent doses.
How common is prescription drug abuse in older adults?
Most older adults who suffer from prescription drug abuse do so by accident. They take more medicine than other age groups. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 3 in 10 people between ages 57 to 85 use at least 5 prescriptions.
Do seniors have access to addictive medications?
This makes gaining access to addictive medications even easier for seniors. “When Grandma goes to the doctor with an ache or pain, she easily gets Percocet,” says Dr. Tark. “Fifteen percent of the population has a tendency towards addiction. Seniors have same propensity.” Most seniors today take a dizzying number of prescription medications.