In respect of demographic change, the number of older patients with substance abuse and addiction is on the raise. In this review we present important clinical and therapeutic aspects of substance abuse and addiction in the elderly and focus on alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids. Daily and risky alcohol consumption is common among older people. They also have an increased risk getting alcohol-related complications. For early detection, laboratory parameters and questionnaires such as the AUDIT-C are suitable. Therapeutically brief interventions have been proved successful. Also, abuse of benzodiazepines, especially low-dose addiction, is widespread among older persons, although often overlooked, and patients often do not recognize their addiction. The physician has to know the correct indication, adequate dosage and pharmacological interactions. A slow-dose reduction is recommended in case of addiction. Thanks to opioid substitution therapy, patients with an opioidaddiction can reach a higher age. Age influences the effects of the substitute, which may require an adjustment of the dosage. Treatment of elderly patients should be based on their needs and resources and is usually very effective.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/1661-8157/a001777 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
At least four groups of kratom consumers in the United States: latent-class analysis of motivations for kratom use.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Kratom is a plant with alkaloids acting at opioid, serotonergic, adrenergic, and other receptors. Consumers report numerous use motivations. To distinguish subgroups of kratom consumers by kratom-use motivations using latent-class analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCo-Designing a Digital Brief Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Prescription Opioid-Related Harm Among People With Chronic Noncancer Pain: Qualitative Analysis of Patient Lived Experiences.
JMIR Form Res
January 2025
Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Background: Opioid medications are important for pain management, but many patients progress to unsafe medication use. With few personalized and accessible behavioral treatment options to reduce potential opioid-related harm, new and innovative patient-centered approaches are urgently needed to fill this gap.
Objective: This study involved the first phase of co-designing a digital brief intervention to reduce the risk of opioid-related harm by investigating the lived experience of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) in treatment-seeking patients, with a particular focus on opioid therapy experiences.
Examining how support persons' buprenorphine attitudes and their communication about substance use impacts patient well-being.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
While social support benefits those in treatment for opioid use disorder, it is unclear how social support impacts patient outcomes. This study examines how support person attitudes toward buprenorphine and their communication about substance use are associated with the well-being of patients receiving buprenorphine treatment. We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data from 219 buprenorphine patients (40% female) and their support persons (72% female).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInvestigating the determinants of perceived shame in young adults with paternal substance use disorder in Pakistan: A phenomenological study.
J Ethn Subst Abuse
January 2025
Lahore School of Behavioural Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Background: Substance use disorder profoundly affects not only the individuals with the condition but also their family members, particularly children. The impact on children can be long-lasting, influencing their development and well-being throughout their lives. The study explored the determinants of perceived shame in young adults with paternal substance use disorder in Pakistan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIs there a risk of esketamine misuse in clinical practice?
Ther Adv Drug Saf
January 2025
Pharmacology Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
In 2019, intranasal esketamine gained approval as a promising therapy for those individuals grappling with treatment-resistant depression. Both clinical trials and real-world studies have underscored its efficacy in alleviating and remitting depressive symptoms, with sustained benefits observed for nearly 4.5 years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!