Drug abuse and addiction among the elderly is a little discussed problem. But how prevalent is it and what are the risks?

The following is a guest post by Jonathan Rosenfeld, an attorney in Chicago. To learn more about Jonathan’s law practice, please visit http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com.

The Risk of Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction Among the Elderly by Jonathan Rosenfeld

If you ask someone to picture the prototypical drug user, people will rarely think of individuals older than 60. People may still

imagine the person using cocaine of heroin on the street, when in fact prescription drugs are rapidly becoming the most addictive substance in the United States. More and more elderly are at an increased risk of having problems with drug abuse or prescription drug addiction. The problem is that there is often more than one doctor that prescribes these elderly patients more than one medication.

There are social, psychological, and physical factors that make the elderly more prone to addiction. They may develop a tolerance to the medication prescribed for injuries from falls, sleeping problems, or joint pain.

The numbers do not lie

According to SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) almost 3 in 10 people between the ages of 57 to 85 have more than five prescriptions at any given time. The rate of hospital admissions for problems directly related to illicit drug use and prescription medications among people ages 65 and 84 rose 96% between 1997 and 2008. That means almost double the number of people in just a bit more than a decade. According to SAMHSA, the number grew 87 percent for people 85 and older between those years. That is a lot of people taking a lot of prescriptions, and we should not be surprised that some people become dependent on that dosage.

The most recent census data shows that we have an estimated 35 million individuals in the United States over the age of 65. Considering that substance abuse affects an estimated 17% of this population, it is a shockingly large number of people. Worse yet? The number of elderly Americans struggling with substance abuse problems is expected to double by 2020.

What can we do?

If you fear that a problem exists, or just want to make sure that a problem does not develop, one of the most important things to do is remain vigilant. Be mindful of the following factors:

• Amount taken – How much is the person taking? Did the person go from a prescription of one to two pills daily to several more? An increased consumption (especially without a doctor’s recommendation) should be considered a red flag.
• Behavior – Even though it is not a guarantee, a change in behavior may indicate that a problem has developed or is starting to develop. Do people seem anxious, withdrawn, sullen, or argumentative?
• Excuses – Few people will provide excuses why they need a legal prescription. If someone is repeatedly making excuses as to why he or she needs pills, it may be that they are trying to convince themselves as much as they are trying to convince you.
• A supply – Sometimes people struggling with dependence will have an ‘emergency supply’ of prescription medication in the event that they are unable to fill a prescription. Stop and ask yourself why someone who can legally refill his or her prescription would need something to that effect.

When you take a moment to think about drug addiction, it is doubtful that seniors are the first group that comes to mind. Keep in mind that the elderly use a quarter (25%) of all prescription drugs that are sold in the US. Oftentimes to deal with problems such as anxiety, insomnia, or chronic pain. If the problem goes unchecked and people simply ignore the warning symptoms, the chances are that it will only get worse in the future.