dopetalk
Core Topics => Seniors, Geriatrics => Topic started by: Chip on August 12, 2015, 06:06:57 PM
-
https://ncadd.org/learn-about-drugs/seniors-vets-and-women/241-older-adults
Seniors and Drugs
The baby boomers are coming! High rates of lifetime illegal drug use among the baby boom generation, people born between 1946 and 1964, suggest that the number of older adults using illegal drugs will increase in the next two decades. In fact, it has been predicted that by the year 2020, the number of persons needing treatment for a drug abuse and addiction will double among persons aged 50 or older.
In 2008, 4.3 million adults aged 50 or older, or 4.7% of adults in that age range, had used an illegal drug in the past year.
Between 2000 and 2008, substance abuse treatment admissions among those aged 50 and older increased by 70%, while the overall 50-plus population grew by only 21%.
FACT: 1 out of every 8 people seeking help for substance abuse, including illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs (OTC) is over age 50.
Coping with an increase in addiction among older adults is a challenge that most aging people never thought they would have to face. Neither did their families. But, dealing with addiction among older adults requires our immediate attention.
MYTH: There is no point in seeking treatment- it’s too late to change.
FACT: Good news! The recovery rate for older adults in addiction treatment is as good or better than that for younger people.
MYTH: Older adults suffering from drug addiction lack the inner strength to fight and overcome this disease.
REALITY: Addiction has many possible causes but lack of inner strength is not one of them. Causes of addiction include heredity, stressful events such as the death of a loved one, retirement, health problems and reactions to medicine.
General Warning Signs of a Drug Problem with Older Adults
Caution: Some general warning signs of drug abuse and addiction can be seen as a normal part of the aging process or attributed to other diseases, resulting in a missed diagnosis of the addiction.
*Sleep problems, fatigue, memory loss or mood swings
*Chronic health problems, accidents or falls
*Loss of interest in hobbies or other social activities
*Neglect of personal hygiene, appearance or weight loss
*Unsteady gait, unexplained bruises or frequent fall
*Slurring words, defensiveness or increased stress
Specific Signs of Drug Abuse or Addiction Among Older Persons
Note: The following are specific signs of drug abuse and addiction and less likely to be seen as a normal part of the aging process or attributed to other diseases.
*Finding illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
*Is often clearly under the influence of drugs or alcohol
*Complaining about doctors who refuse to write prescriptions for preferred addictive drugs
*Increased use of illegal drugs or taking more pills than prescribed because the drugs “just aren’t helping anymore”
*Intentionally abusing drugs with the intent to hurt themselves
*Mixing medications or drinking alcohol with medications despite warnings not to do so
*Going to multiple doctors -“doctor shopping” -for additional prescriptions of addictive drugs
*Deliberate choice to not tell doctor of all prescriptions or illegal drugs they may be taking
Prescription Drugs and Older Adults:
Although people 65 years of age and older comprise only 13% of the population, they account for almost 30% of all medications prescribed in the United States.
As a result, older adults are at significant risk for prescription drug abuse and addiction. In addition to prescription medications, many older adults also use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and dietary supplements, including sharing them with friends. Due to increased rate of illness, changes in the body’s capacity to process medications, and the potential for drug interactions, older adults are more likely to experience adverse health consequences than the younger population.
CAUTION FOR OLDER ADULTS:
Beware of drug interactions as well as alcohol and drug combinations, as they can be very dangerous, increasing the risk of falls, accidents and even accidental overdose. Follow the advice of your physician and only take prescription medications as directed.
Recovery and Seniors: By choosing recovery, seniors can re-claim their lives and find meaning in their later years. Mutual Aid and Self-Help programs are invaluable to recovery and will help seniors find new purpose.
“It’s time to face up to it, I’m getting older and I just don’t need drugs to keep living. In fact, I’m going to get my life back on track, based on what I have learned in treatment. I don’t want to die!” - From an anonymous baby boomer, age 55
NCADD Fact Sheet: Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Among Older Adults
Seniors may be alone, may feel lonely even around others, but they “don’t have to go it alone.” If you are concerned about your own use of alcohol or drugs, Get Help. If you are concerned about a member of your family or friend, For Family or Friends or Find an Affiliate near you.
-
Yeah,geriatric users is a rapidly growing issue.Partly demographics based,but it's also proof harm reduction works.
The question is what to do with elderly dopers? I gotta say I like the Dutch idea of old folks homes just for dopers.
I'll save you kids a seat near the duck pond.
-
Some of my best hooks came through the geriatric crowd. One of my friends is 63, and has been doing this since his 20s. He has the ultimate dope barometer. Always my first call to find out where to find the good stuff.
I figure by the time you get to that age you are either functionally addicted, or on maintenance/pm. At that point the desire to quit just doesn't seem to be there.
Could you imagine the pill trading in the old junkies home? Might as well get some pharma dope (or morphine for nick) at that point.
I know quite a few enhanced wisdom addicts who got into it through pain management. Some for just general aches and pains here. We all know how that story goes.
-
Yeah,geriatric users is a rapidly growing issue.Partly demographics based,but it's also proof harm reduction works.
That is an excellent point and great counterpoint to the typical negative spin of these things.
Although its also a strike against maturing out. then again the boomers were never very mature to begin with.
-
Speaking as one, Amen.
-
Partly demographics based,but it's also proof harm reduction works.
That's an excellent observation, about harm reduction working. You hear that quip being bandied around frequently about "there are no old junkies" Bullshit. Plenty of 'em. The place is lousy with 'em.
-
I'm 64 and while I'm no raging junkie these days (don't have the get-up-and-go for it,) I've picked up old habits that never went away.
As for Makita's concept of maturing out, for the for most part that is on the money. It's what kept me clean for two decades. Then gravity sets in and with it pain and thoughts turn to meds, legal and illegal. Though, and this is no attack on anyone, but more of a pet peeve of my own, this dividing up millions and millions millions of people into Boomers, X-Gens and Milleniums, like there are only three kinds of people in the US right now, strikes me as lazy-ass thinking. Thinking pushed by the lazy-ass MSM. I have friends from 14 to 84 and none of them fit into any Huffington Post generational chart. Not that there aren't distinctions but much of that was the accident of time and not generational behavior.
I'm not bragging but I was always 20 years ahead of the curve...so am I a X-Gen trapped in a Boomer body? Am I Tran-generational and don't know it?
Not that most douche-bags in my age group weren't hypocrites and eventually predators on the young.... Still, plenty of us weren't, aren't and never will be. I watch what each generation brings to the table and see how it has evolved beyond its predecessor and ponder it sincerely and hope it will eventually reach critical mass and institute real change. Like eliminate the war on drugs, the war on women, the war on minorities, the war on class.
-
Eliminate war full stop-probably not a good idea to hold our breath waiting for that to happen.a
-
I just was at a Bernie Saunders rally in Portland, OR. 18,000 inside, another 9,000 couldn't get in watched from the parking lot so I'm all into the dream at the moment. Have to excuse me while I deflate back to grim reality. The rally didn't even make the NYT either. Front page was all fashion models in Bolivia and Donald Trump.
But yeah, at 63, you've pretty much made up your mind one way or the other. A junkie's old folks home. There is a dream worth dreaming. Gotta be one of them with a golden hook up.