The number of senior citizens with drug addiction is on the rise in the United States, and prescription painkillers, such as hydrocodone and other opioids, play a major role in drug problems among the elderly. Opioid painkillers are the fourth most commonly abused substance among senior citizens in the U.S., following close behind alcohol, marijuana…
Adults aged 50 and older are among the more than 3 million people in the United States who have opioid or opiate addictions. Overuse or misuse of prescription painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone is so widespread that President Trump has declared the opioid epidemic a public “health emergency.” But opioids aren’t the only substances…
As the baby boomer generation reaches old age, their drug problems are staying with them, with substance abuse among the elderly becoming an increasingly common concern. When it comes to seniors, the focus is typically on alcohol, prescription drugs, caffeine and nicotine, missing the deceptively common problems with illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin and marijuana.…
Americans of all ages have fallen victim to the epidemic of prescription drug abuse and addiction. The consequences are serious, including a tripling in the number of overdose deaths from prescription drugs in the U.S. since 1990. While people of all ages, socioeconomic groups, and races are vulnerable to prescription drug abuse, one group is…
Addiction rehab centers across the U.S. are seeing more of an older demographic than your typical troubled teen or young adult: baby boomers. According to a new government study, addiction rates among baby boomers are on the rise. Substance addiction among men and women in their 50s and 60s comes with its own set of…
It’s not uncommon for depression to develop (or recur if you have a history) later in life. This can be due to a variety of reasons – both psychological (e.g. suddenly coping with an empty nest) and physiological (e.g. age-related health issues, menopause). Symptoms of depression can range from mild to severe. They may include…
As the baby boom generation enters retirement age, they represent an enormous demographic. Their new stage in life will present new challenges for the culture. One concern is the number of older Americans who will be taking, and potentially abusing, prescription drugs. The abuse of prescription medications is already a problem in this country, but…
Although it might be surprising to younger adults, clinical depression is a common problem for many seniors. Approximately 6 million Americans aged 65 and older are affected by late-life depression. Unfortunately, very few of them actually seek treatment. Symptoms of late-life depression often differ from those typically exhibited by younger adults. This is one of…
