Prescription drug abuse in older adults is a growing problem, especially when they combine drugs with alcohol. Having multiple health problems and taking multiple drugs can put seniors at risk of misusing drugs or becoming addicted.
The Effects of Prescription Drug Addiction
Abusing prescription drugs can cause a number of problems. Prescription drugs can be especially dangerous and can even lead to death when taken in high doses, when combined with other prescription drugs or certain over-the-counter medications, or when taken with alcohol or illegal drugs.
Medical Consequences
Signs of opiate abuse can include low blood pressure, a slowed breathing rate, and potential for breathing to stop, or a coma. Opiate addiction also has a high risk of overdose, which can be fatal.
Sedatives and anti-anxiety medications can cause memory problems, low blood pressure, and slowed breathing. An overdose can cause coma or death. Abruptly stopping the medication may cause withdrawal symptoms that can include nervous system hyperactivity and seizures.
Stimulants can cause dangerously high body temperature, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures or tremors, hallucinations, aggressiveness, and paranoia.
Physical Dependence and Addiction
Because commonly abused prescription drugs activate the brain’s reward center, it’s possible to develop physical dependence and addiction.
Physical dependence (also called tolerance) is the body’s response to long-term use. People who are physically dependent on a drug may need higher doses to get the same effects and may experience withdrawal symptoms when cutting back or abruptly stopping the drug. These
People who are addicted to a drug can have a physical dependence, but they also compulsively seek the substance and continue to use it even when that drug makes their lives worse.
Other potential consequences include: