A recent study released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse revealed that more than 1.8 million Americans over the age of 65 may be dependent on prescription drugs.
The report showed that senior citizens are three times more likely to frequently use prescription drugs than the general population.
“They have access to more drugs because they are older and they may be using them for purposes that are not always in their best medical interest,” said Russel Falck, a Wright State University associate professor and associate director of the school's Center for Interventions, Treatment and Addictions Research.
The study suggested that senior citizens develop drug problems because they are experiencing pain, whether chronic physical pain, or emotional pain from the loss of a spouse, financial complications or medical problems.
It was also revealed that seniors have problems discontinuing the use of drugs after they aren't needed any longer.
Individuals who suffer from chronic conditions and are 65 and older are encouraged to invest in life insurance, which Americans have not taken advantage of as much recently as they have in the past, according to LIMRA International.