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Helping Seniors who are Addicted to Opioids

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The opioid epidemic is a national problem that is hitting people of all ages, including millions of Americans over age 50.

The main reason opioid addiction has become such a problem for older adults is because over the past two decades, opioids have become a commonly prescribed (and often overprescribed) medication by doctors for all different types of pain like arthritis, cancer, neurological diseases and other illnesses that become more common in later life.

Nearly one-third of all Medicare patients – almost 12 million people – were prescribed opioid painkillers by their physicians in 2015. That same year, 2.7 million Americans over age 50 abused painkillers.

Taken as directed, opioids can manage pain effectively when used for a short amount of time. But with long-term use, people need to be screened and monitored because around 5 percent of those treated will develop an addiction disorder and abuse the drugs.

Signs of Addiction
Your parent or other loved one may be addicted to opioids if they can’t stop themself from taking the drug, and their tolerance continues to go up. They may also be addicted if they keep using opioids without their doctor’s consent, even if it’s causing problems with their health, money, family or friends.

If you think your loved one is addicted, ask him or her to see a doctor for an evaluation. Go to the family or prescribing physician or find a specialist through the American Society of Addiction Medicine (see ASAM.org) or the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP.org). It’s also important to be positive and encouraging. Addiction is a medical matter, not a character flaw. Repeated use of opioids actually changes the brain.

Treatments
Treatment for opioid addiction is different for each person, but the main goal is to help your loved one stop using the drug and avoid using it again in the future.

To them stop using the drug, their doctor can prescribe certain medicines to help relieve their withdrawal symptoms and control their cravings. These medicines include methadone (often used to treat heroin addiction), buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

After detox, behavioral treatments such as individual counseling, group or family counseling, and cognitive therapy can help them learn how to manage depression, avoid the drug, deal with cravings, and heal damaged relationships.

For assistance, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration confidential help line at 800-662-4357, or see SAMHSA.gov. They can connect you with treatment services in your area that can help your loved one.

Also, if you find that your loved one has a doctor who prescribes opioids in excess or without legitimate reason, you should report him or her to your state medical board, which licenses physicians. For contact information visit FSMB.org.

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