Answers will vary. It is not true that substance abuse is rare in late adulthood, but the motives for use among older adults differ from those we find among teenagers and early adults. Abuse or misuse of medication (prescription and over-the-counter drugs), much of which is unintentional, poses a serious health threat to older Americans. Forty percent of prescription drugs in the United States are taken by people aged 60 and older, and more than half of them take two to five medications daily. Among the most commonly used drugs are blood pressure medication, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antidepressants. Taken correctly, prescription drugs can be of help. If used incorrectly, they can be harmful. Millions of older adults are addicted to, or risk becoming addicted to, prescription drugs, especially tranquilizers. About a quarter of a million older adults are hospitalized each year because of adverse drug reactions. Reasons include the following:
1. The dosage of drugs is too high. Because bodily functions slow with age (such as the ability of the liver and kidneys to clear drugs out of the body), the same amount of drug can have stronger effects and last longer in older people.
2. Some people may misunderstand directions or be unable to keep track of their usage.
3. Many older persons have more than one doctor, and treatment plans may not be coordinated.

A

A

C

D

A