Premium
Prescription Use Disorders in Older Adults
Author(s) -
Kalapatapu Raj K.,
Sullivan Maria A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2010.00080.x
Subject(s) - medical prescription , intervention (counseling) , medicine , addiction , psychiatry , substance use , substance abuse , gerontology , pharmacology
The number of older adults needing substance abuse treatment is projected to rise significantly in the next few decades. This paper will focus on the epidemic of prescription use disorders in older adults. Particular vulnerabilities of older adults to addiction will be considered. Specifically, the prevalence and patterns of use of opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines will be explored, including the effects of these substances on morbidity and mortality. Treatment intervention strategies will be briefly discussed, and areas for future research are suggested. (Am J Addict 2010;00:1–8)