Washington Health System

Preventing Opioid Addiction in Seniors HOW OPIOID ADDICTION WORKS Narcotic medications interact with opioid receptors in the brain to treat pain. As the person uses opioids for a longer period of time, the drugs produce lower levels of pain relief. Higher doses of opioid medication are required to achieve the same level of pain relief as time goes on. Withdrawal symptoms that occur from the lack of opioids in the body—coupled with the desire for pain relief—can result in addiction. Withdrawal symptoms include pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, elevated heart rate and seizures. OPIOID ADDICTION CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, EVEN SENIORS WITH OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS. In the 1990s, opioids began seeing widespread use for the treatment of chronic pain. At the time, misleading claims surrounding the use of opioids caused a boom in prescriptions, which helped give rise to the opioid epidemic that the United States faces today. "e majority of people who become addicted to opiates initially start with legitimate prescriptions," says Richard O. Ajayi, MD, Psychiatrist at Washington Health System Greene. "Tolerance oen develops in little or no time, which leads to wanting more and more, and ultimately getting it from illegitimate sources or shiing to street-level heroin, which, unfortunately, is cheaper and readily available." SLIPPERY SLOPE It is known that opioids can cause dependency and addiction, and can be especially troublesome for seniors, who may need pain management more oen than younger patients. Opioids are highly addictive and can cause physiological dependence within the span of a week. e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that opioids only be prescribed for a few days at a time. "Perhaps the best way to prevent addiction is to consider alternative therapies and non- narcotic medications for initial pain relief," Dr. Ajayi says. "And if opiates are needed at all, to limit them to the lowest effective dose and not more than a week's worth." SAFETY MEASURES e best way to prevent opioid addiction is to seek other methods of treatment in partnership with your doctor, such as acupuncture or non-narcotic medication. If your doctor still prescribes opioids, request help in devising a plan to wean yourself off the medication when the time comes. Once treatment is completed, dispose of any leover opioid medication by adding water and mixing it in a sealed bag with coffee grounds or cat litter and throwing it away. Don't hesitate to speak to a doctor if you believe you have developed an addiction to opioids. » IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH OPIOIDS, HELP IS AVAILABLE AT THE WHS CENTER FOR RECOVERY AND WELLNESS. CALL (724) 627-2756. connections | W I NTE R 2018 14 whs.org

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