Keeping Lakewood Alive: Busting The Myth Of Addiction In Seniors

We're regularly fed a steady diet of senior citizen stereotypes. Myths about addiction are especially tough to swallow. When Uncle Harry faceplants in the bowl of Thanksgiving stuffing, his drinking is dismissed as one of the few pleasures he has left. Granny's perceived as adorable in her terry track suit gulping down sherry on her front porch rocker. The retired CEO is defended as earning the right to slam back multiple martinis before noon. The reality is addictions destroy a senior's quality of life, strain a healthcare system already at the breaking point and wreak havoc on families burdened with their care. Substance abuse in older Americans can aggravate and even cause chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, dementia, osteoporosis and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. The risk and consequences of falling increases. In 2012 the National Institute of Health reported hospital admissions for seniors were mostly linked to overdoses from pain medication and withdrawal from other addictive substances.

In 2013 fifty-five million opioid prescriptions were written for seniors. According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information 17% of Americans over sixty are addicted to prescription drugs, particularly opioids (vicodin, oxycontin) and benzodiazepines (valium, xanax, restoril). The Betty Ford Center reported in 2011 that three million seniors were addicted to alcohol or prescription drugs. They predicted that number to triple by 2020. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration has estimated 4.3 million older adults used illicit drugs in the last year. Many seniors are even "Breaking Bad" and setting up their own crystal methamphetamine labs.

Gambling, one of the most sanctioned of senior addictions, is often organized by senior centers and assisted living communities. From betting on bingo to unloading a busload of silver sneakers at casinos, gambling is encouraged to fill daily monotony and provide one of the few stimulating social outlets with all the bells, whistles and colored lights. Retirement portfolios are wiped out. Homes, cars and social security checks are handed over. Families are left to pick up the pieces for their parent or grandparent who has run out of time to work and save it all up again.

The good news is seniors respond well to treatment, especially in programs that offer social support, nutrition plans and aftercare for those who live alone. Seniors should be encouraged to come forward without fear of shame or blame. Families and healthcare providers need to address the problem and recognize the signs of addiction. Doctors must be held accountable for over-prescribing and inappropriately prescribing drugs such as opioids and benzodiazepines. Our lawmakers should require every pharmacy to implement drug monitoring programs. It's time to bust the myth and begin the dialogue.

Georganne Vartorella, M.D., the founder and CEO of POSITIVELY SENIOR (www.positivelysenior.org), is an advocate for seniors, freelance writer and board certified physician. Dr. Vartorella had a successful private practice of Internal Medicine in Lakewood.