What You Need to Know About Opioid Addiction and Older Adults

This blog post from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse provides information on opioid abuse among older adults ages 55 to 64. Older adults have experienced the greatest increase in drug-related deaths. A pattern of opioid misuse often begins with a life change, such as a divorce, an empty nest, or the death of a parent or spouse. Health care providers also tend to over-prescribe opioids to this age group due to the chronic pain they can experience. The author provides resources from the Centers for Disease Control for health care providers, and a guide to finding quality addiction treatment for older adults who are struggling with opioid addiction.