Chemical Dependency and Aging

• Most people look forward to the golden years, but after age 75 many medical issues arise that can compromise quality of life. Philip E. Kolski, LCSW, program manager of Outpatient Services at Mills-Peninsula’s Behavioral Health Services CenterOpens new window sees many seniors struggling to manage chronic pain that keeps them from living the life they want.
  
  “Joint and back pain is especially prevalent among seniors,” he says. 
  
  According to the National Institutes of Health, about half of older Americans living on their own have chronic pain. Typically, to manage this pain, doctors prescribe opioid pain medications.
  
  “When these medications are taken over time, people can develop a tolerance for the medication,” Kolski says. “When that happens, either their dosage has to increase, they have to find an alternate way of coping with the pain such as acupuncture, or they have to stop taking the medication, go through withdrawal and start a new opiate.”
  
  While developing a tolerance for a pain medication is concerning, Kolski draws a distinction between being chemically dependent on a medication and addictive behavior. “Many people become dependent on opiate medication, but if they take the medication as prescribed, it’s not a problem,” he says. 
  
  How can you tell the difference between being dependent on a medication to manage pain and being addicted? According to Kolski, patients who have developed an addiction don’t adhere to a prescription. They take more medication to relax or ease anxiety. This can occur at any age, and seniors tend to have certain risk factors that increase the odds addiction may happen to them.

• Risk Factors for Addiction in Seniors

• Many facets of life for older Americans make them vulnerable to addiction. The two most important risk factors are:
  • Isolation - A senior may lose a spouse or close friend, or retire. He or she becomes increasingly isolated. According to Kolski, this lack of social structures or organized activities leaves people feeling isolated and lonely. “Living alone and not meeting daily challenges is fertile ground for anxiety disorders,” he says. “Dealing with the world every day eases anxiety. Seeing the world through the TV, people become fearful about whether they can cope.”
  • Physical Deterioration - As people age, their livers don’t process alcohol as they once did. So the same two drinks someone has throughout their lives become too much in their 70s and 80s. “Drinking too much puts older adults at risk for falling,” Kolski says.

• Danger Signs for Substance Abuse

• If a family member suspects that a loved one may be abusing drugs or alcohol, what are the warning signs? Watch for people who use multiple pharmacies, “a common way to shop for drugs,” Kolski says. “It is also harder to monitor on the Internet.”
  
  According to Kolski, here are some things to look for:
  • Falls and unexplained bruises
  • Poor grooming
  • Poor eating
  • Needing to drink daily
  • Experiencing tremors not related to another disorder of advanced age
  • Missing social obligations (although this can also be an early sign of dementia)
  • Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use.

• How to Get Help

• Finding a way to overcome the social isolation associated with aging is paramount for older Americans. For many, learning to use the Internet and having access to email can help ease social isolation, as does getting involved in activities. 
  
  “Seniors can keep some contact with the world through email. They can communicate with grandkids and friends,” Kolski says. “But we want them to exercise, go to senior centers or walk with friends, too.” Many community centers offer programs for seniors that can help them connect with others and engage in daily activities. 
  
  Quitting drugs or alcohol is also not a do-it-yourself situation. While many seniors are reluctant to ask for help, especially if they fear it could compromise their independence, encourage them to speak to a doctor. Trained addiction specialists who specialize in working with seniors can help them get their lives back on track.
  Courtesy: MyLifeStages