Written by Caroline Capriccio, Wellspring Intern Results published from the 2018 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey found a decrease in prescription opioid use among teenagers over the past year. For instance, the MTF found that use of prescription narcotics among 12th graders decreased from 4.2% in 2017 to 3.4% in 2018. Additionally, past year use of specific prescription narcotics such as OxyContin and Vicodin also decreased among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, compared with levels five years ago. According to the survey, misuse of some of the more popular prescription opioid medications is at historic lows among teens in school. Past-year misuse of the Rx opioid Vicodin dropped to just 1.7 %, and this reflects a long-term decline from a peak of 10.5% in 2003. The past year misuse of prescription/OTC drugs among 12th graders in 2018 were: Sedatives/Tranquilizers: 5.0%Adderall®: 4.6%Opioids: 3.4%Cough/cold medicine: 3.4%Ritalin®: 0.9% When asked how they obtained prescription...

Although people 65 years of age and older comprise only 13% of the population, they account for almost 30% of all medications prescribed in the United States. As a result, older adults are at significant risk for prescription drug abuse and addiction. In addition to prescription medications, many older adults also use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and dietary supplements, including sharing them with friends. Due to increased rate of illness, changes in the body’s capacity to process medications, and the potential for drug interactions, older adults are more likely to experience. Why senior substance abuse is misdiagnosed Because of insufficient knowledge, limited research data, and hurried office visits, health care providers often overlook alcohol and drug misuse and abuse among older adults. Diagnosis may be difficult because symptoms of alcoholism and drug dependency in older individuals sometimes mimic symptoms of other medical and behavioral disorders common among this population, such as diabetes,...