Drug Abuse Among Seniors is a Rising Problem

Posted By: LuellaMay [Send E-Mail]
Date: Monday, 14-Sep-2015 13:28:49

Well I'm surprised to see this at RMN

It does seem they want to up there budget!

Snip
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)?

Behavioral Health Treatments and Services

Learn how health care professionals address common mental illnesses and substance use disorders and how SAMHSA helps people access treatments and services.

Medication

Prescription medications also are an important resource for treating mental and substance use disorders. Medications for mental and substance use disorders provide significant relief for many people and help manage symptoms to the point where people can use other strategies to pursue recovery. Medications work better for some people than others, even if they have the same disorders.

Medication effectiveness can also change over time, so it is not uncommon for a person to find that the medication needs to be changed or adjusted even after it has been working. Medications also often have significant side effects. As a result, it is important for people receiving medications for behavioral health problems to have regular contact with the prescribing provider to ensure that the approach being used continues to be safe and effective.

Medication tends to be most effective when it is used in combination with counseling or psychotherapy. There are many different types of medication for mental health problems, including anti-depressants, medication for attention issues, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic medications. More information about these medications can be found at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website.

Medications are also increasingly being used to treat substance use disorders. This practice, often referred to as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Medications exist that can reduce the cravings and other symptoms associated with withdrawal from a substance, block the neurological pathways that produce the rewarding sensation caused by a substance, or induce negative feelings when a substance is taken. More information about MAT is available through SAMHSA’s Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (link is external).
end snip

http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment

Well we all know how well the mental health system works by now.
CDC, FDA anyone?

It seems to me that they pulled the same BS regarding women and seniors about 25-30 years ago. They had to start giving pain medication again when too many elderly folks were moaning in the hospital and nursing home hallways from pain and some nurses were stealing the meds that people did get.

Are they trying to push folks to heroine? Or do they just want folks to get that op-out death med kit that states are passing laws to provide.

I know of elderly, one is 77 yrs old who have put together their own kits as they no longer trust doctors with their pain. This woman won't even take an aspirin.

I ask how many drug addicted Elderly do you know?