CONTENTS

Table of Contents
Introduction

1. Overview
2. Alcohol
3. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
4. Barriers to Recognizing Problems
5. Signs and Symptoms of Misuse
6. Talking About Sensitive Issues
7. Assessing a Problem
8. Preventing Misuse
9. Intervention and Treatment

Supplements
Resources

Alcohol, Medication and Older Adults
For Those Who Care About or Care for an Older Adult

Medication Use

Prescription drug-taking behavior can span the continuum from appropriate use to misuse to problem use. These terms are defined as:

• Appropriate use - appropriate medical use
• Misuse - use of a prescription drug not as directed by a doctor
• Problem use - continued use of a medication not as directed by a doctor for the desirable effects it provides, leading to negative health or social consequences and serious persistent use

Medication problems in older adults generally fall into the category of misuse. Older patients may misunderstand directions for appropriate use. Taking multiple prescriptions, often from several doctors unaware of each other, makes the problem worse. In these cases, overdose or bad reactions from combining drugs are more likely to occur. Unintentional misuse can, however, progress into problem use.

Psychoactive drugs (used to treat depression, anxiety, and mood changes) are commonly prescribed to many older adults at some time. Doctors recommend that older adults take some of these drugs for no more than 4 months at a time. The continual use of psychoactive drugs by older adults has been associated with a variety of symptoms, including:

• Slower reaction time
• Loss of coordination
• Tremors, shakes
• Falls
• Excessive daytime drowsiness
• Confusion
• Irritability or rage
• Memory loss
• Physical dependence

Side effects from these drugs range from constipation, diarrhea, and urinary problems to such severe reactions as hip fractures from falls, withdrawal seizures or delirium, and worsened depression leading to suicide attempts.

Older adults who experience the following symptoms after taking a drug should call their doctor immediately:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Mood changes
• Confusion
• Memory loss

Remember that drugs that are strong enough to cure can also be strong enough to hurt if not taken correctly!