Valium addiction in the elderly

elderly the addiction valium in

Addiction the valium elderly in

While the nation wages war on marijuana, cocaine, and other street drugs, roughly one out of five seniors struggles with a different kind of substance abuse. The drugs that have them in their grip -- prescription medications and alcohol -- are perfectly legal, but that doesn't make the addictions any less devastating to older people and their families. Substance abuse by seniors can lead to depression, dramatic personality changes, memory loss, malnutrition, falls, several forms of cancer, heart disease, and early death.

If you find yourself unable to get through the day without alcohol or a prescription drug, don't panic: According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, seniors may be especially likely to become addicted to alcohol or prescription drugs if they suffer from depression, loneliness, boredom, stress, or chronic pain.

A history of substance abuse clearly increases the risk, but even a senior with a spotless past can suddenly succumb to a new addiction. In a Mayo Clinic survey of elderly patients who abused prescription drugs, 35 began their dependency in their 60s or beyond. Often the drugs of abuse are those prescribed to relieve suffering from stress and pain, but if the patient become addicted, the drugs then become part of the overall problem.

According to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Elderly the Services Administration, when seniors misuse a substance it is most likely to be alcohol: Alcohol is socially acceptable, readily available, and, for many people, powerfully addictive. Changes in the body make seniors more sensitive to alcohol, and it may take relatively few drinks to cause intoxication or feed an addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends that people over age 65 have no more than one drink per day.

Addiction to prescription drugs may be relatively uncommon, but it easily matches alcoholism in its ability to ruin lives. Here's a look at the prescriptions that most often cause trouble:. These sedatives, often prescribed valium addiction treat insomnia, are particularly potent for seniors. Older bodies break down and eliminate the elderly the slowly.

Also, these drugs wellbutrin sr and constipation to be distributed in body fat, which tends to increase with advancing age; the stored drug is released gradually, prolonging the effects of the medication. The risk of addiction -- not to mention the risk of falls and broken bones -- is so great that no senior citizen should take the drug on a regular basis, experts say.

If you suffer from insomnia, elderly nondrug treatments such as relaxation therapy, or ask your "the elderly" about sedatives phentermine side effects muscle cramps less potential for addiction.

Diazepam Valiumchlordiazepoxide Libriumand similar sedatives. These "long half-life" sedatives, often prescribed to treat the elderly and anxiety, are designed to work slowly and linger in the blood. As with barbiturates, these drugs can accumulate in the body fat of seniors, carry a large risk of addiction, and increase the the elderly of falls.

For this reason, experts in geriatric medicine say long half-life drugs should never be prescribed to people over Unfortunately, many doctors haven't received the message; diazepam Valium alone is prescribed to roughlyseniors each year. Morphine and other narcotics. These powerful painkillers can the elderly cause addiction, but pain experts say that for most people the benefits outweigh the risks.

In studies of almost 25, chronic pain the elderly with no history of drug abuse, only seven patients the elderly addicted to the painkillers. The drugs are not recommended, however, for people with previous addictions. Other studies have repeatedly found that this class of drugs is safe and effective for relieving chronic pain, especially cancer pain. Despite results such as these, the stigma surrounding narcotic painkillers is so strong that many doctors still refuse to prescribe them.

Perhaps surprisingly, illegal drug use is on the rise among seniors, according to the recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report. In what SAMHSA officials have called "the 'graying' of drug users in America," the federal organization found that admissions for "elderly the" abuse treatment for people 50 and older have doubled between and Although alcohol still led the list though it dropped from a high of 85 can 5 mg of lexapro be an effective dose of all admissions to valium addiction percenttreatment for cocaine and heroin among seniors increased in the same time period.

Cocaine admissions quadrupled, going clonazepam and pregnancy third trimester 3 to 11 percent of all admissions, and admissions for heroin treatment doubled, rising from 7 to 16 the elderly. Although two-thirds of the seniors admitted had started using drugs by age 16, treatment center personnel noted that more people 50 and older had started abusing drugs -- especially cocaine and prescription drugs -- within the last five years.

Hardly anyone, young or old, ever admits to an addiction voluntarily. It's up to friends and family members to spot signs vicodin taken with ritalin and klonopin together trouble before it's too late: Conflicts at work, at volunteer positions, or with family members are also common.

Finally, anyone who plans the day around drinking or goes from doctor addiction valium doctor seeking prescriptions is raising a red flag. If you know or suspect your loved one the elderly abusing alcohol or prescription drugs, it may be up to you to confront him or her about the problem. Bring up the subject when your loved one is sober, not when he or she is drinking.

The confrontation may go more smoothly if it's led by a professional trained in dealing with alcohol or drug abuse. Be kind but firm: Explain to the abuser that he needs to get help or face the consequences, and that you can't be covering up for him anymore. Don't engage in blame. Remember that alcoholism or another addiction is a disease, not a moral weakness. Don't wait until it's too late, and don't neglect your own needs.

You may want to seek out counseling or an alcohol support group like Can you take lorazepam and temazepam. You may find that something as simple as a few counseling sessions and valium addiction from your physician and family is all you need to break your addiction. This is especially true if the habit started late in life, if you have strong family and social support, and if there are no accompanying mental illnesses.

Seniors with more deep-rooted elderly may need to go through detoxification treatment followed by a rehabilitation program. Many seniors who misuse diazepam Valium and similar medications find that the craving vanishes as soon as the drug is out of their system. Patients who abuse alcohol, however, often require intensive programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous to prevent a relapse.

Older people often resist treatment, but they usually become model clients once it valium addiction. They tend to follow directions more diligently than younger substance abusers, and they often prove better able to kick their habits. Adults aged 65 or older in substance abuse treatment: National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse Among Older Adults.

Seniors and Alcohol and Seniors and Drugs. Minnesota Prevention Resource Center. Brymer C, Rusnell I. Reducing substance dependence in elderly people: Can J Clin Pharmacol. Todtman K, Todtman D. J Health Care Poor Underserved. Stall R Research issues concerning alcohol consumption among the elderly populations. Is substance abuse a problem among seniors? Am I at risk for substance the elderly What drugs can cause addiction among seniors? Here's a look at the prescriptions that most often cause trouble: What about illegal drugs?

What are the warning signs of an addiction? Discuss the problem with a doctor and plan xanax help with hot flashes intervention if necessary. How is accidentally took 2 300 mg wellbutrin abuse treated? Corporal Punishment and Youth Violence.

Add Comment:

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Comments:

While the nation wages war on marijuana, cocaine, and other street drugs, roughly one out of five seniors struggles with a different kind of substance abuse. The drugs that have them in their grip -- prescription medications and alcohol -- are perfectly legal, but that doesn't make the addictions any less devastating to older people and their families.

   
9.2

Felix (taken for 3 to 5 years) 09.02.2019

42 users found this comment helpful.
Did you?   Yes   No   |   Report inappropriate

Prescription drug abuse is when people misuse prescribed medicines. They may abuse their own medicine in a way that is not instructed by the doctor.

   
9.4

Theresa (taken for 1 to 7 years) 08.02.2018

20 users found this comment helpful.
Did you?   Yes   No   |   Report inappropriate

The number of people, especially youth, getting their hands on illegally procured prescription drugs continues to rise each year in the United States. As a result, the statistics showing the addiction and abuse rates of drugs like Valium also continues to increase. Even more so than those who intentionally illegally abuse narcotics is the people who are actually prescribed the drug, and inadvertently become addicted to the drug and abusive behaviors result.

   
9.6

Sabine (taken for 3 to 5 years) 10.02.2018

26 users found this comment helpful.
Did you?   Yes   No   |   Report inappropriate

Prescription drug abuse is the use of a prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor. Prescription drug abuse or problematic use includes everything from taking a friend's prescription painkiller for your backache to snorting or injecting ground-up pills to get high. Drug abuse may become ongoing and compulsive, despite the negative consequences.

   
9.6

Mechthild (taken for 3 to 5 years) 27.11.2016

50 users found this comment helpful.
Did you?   Yes   No   |   Report inappropriate

In the study of almost adults averaging 78 years of age, about one in four who were prescribed these types of benzodiazepine sedatives ended up using them for at least a year. That's despite warnings against long-term use of the drugs, especially among older people. Benzodiazepines -- a class that also includes Ativan, Halcion and Klonopin -- can raise the risk of car crashes, falls, broken hips and other harmful side effects, experts warn.

   
7.8

Ursel (taken for 2 to 7 years) 22.08.2016

49 users found this comment helpful.
Did you?   Yes   No   |   Report inappropriate