Elderly and Use of Substances

Alcohol-smoking:

Substance abuse is the problematic use of alcohol, tobacco and narcotics. Today the most usual abuse by the elderly is the use of alcohol and tobacco. Although there are some indications that alcohol use decreases  with age, research has shown that elderly people today, especially women, drink much more than previous generations, which is a fact that often remains insufficiently researched and diagnosed. However, research does show that stopping to smoke at any age has positive results. For the elderly it means a reduced danger of heart attacks and pulmonary infections.

Use of medicines:

The use of pharmaceutical products increases with age. The elderly, their relatives and the health professionals should know the repercussions of improper use and abuse, but also the dangers of interaction between medicines. It is important therefore that the elderly provide valid information regarding the medicines they use.

At the same time, the drug industry should encourage pharmaceutical tests specifically for the elderly. In general, medicine used by elderly people has not been tested for their age and/or sex group.

The excessive consumption of medicines by the elderly is a serious subject occupying researchers in the scientific community as well as the government. And the more medicines an older person uses the bigger the danger of drugs interacting.  Research has shown that there is abuse of psychotropic and narcotic substances.   

 
Dealing with the problem:

To combat this problem successfully there must be cooperation between national and local institutions, private organizations and, of course, the elderly and their families.

More specifically we suggest:

·        A national information campaign by the media about the dangers of smoking and substance abuse

·        Help telephone lines manned by trained personnel  accessing information

·        Local support groups directed by local health agencies

·        Recognizing that the problem exists and understanding that quite often it's connected to health, social and psychological problems

·        A more active interaction in the community by the elderly

·        The elderly must seek professional help particularly if they have been prescribed many different medicines and must check regularly that all the medicines they take are indeed essential to their health

·        Consult with the doctor about any visible side effects