Drug Seeking Behavior of the Elderly 2
Drug Seeking Behavior of the Elderly
The misuse of prescription pain medication by the elderly will be discussed in this essay.
The discussion will be specific to the sale of prescribed pain medication to assist with paying
bills. This drug seeking behavior comes from a financial standpoint instead of an addiction. For
the purpose of this essay, the elderly is considered persons 65-85 years of age.
The elderly usually live with a fixed income and are unable to work for extra money.
Some turn to selling their prescribed pain medication to earn extra income to assist in paying
bills (Carroll, 2017). In one case, a 75-year old woman from North Carolina was having a hard
time paying her electric bill and started selling her pain medication for the extra money needed to
pay her electric bill (Carroll, 2017). She was caught, arrested, and charged with dealing opioids
(Carroll, 2017). A 74-year old man from Tennessee was arrested and charged with the same
offense when he was caught selling is pain medications on the street (Carroll, 2017). Most of
these people are first offenders because they see no harm in selling their pain medication to make
ends meet. However, the law states that anyone who sells drugs is a drug dealer (Carroll, 2017).
When a patient asks for pain mediation for a chronic pain problem, a focused physical
assessment should be done by the nurse practitioner (NP). If there is a legitimate reason for the
pain, the NP should begin educating the patient about pain medications and the side effects of
these medications, as well as alternative therapies for pain control. Schedule II, III, and IV
medications should be used as a last resort when possible. Ethically, the NP should always use
beneficence to do what is best for the patient and nonmaleficence to prevent harm to the patient
even when the patient gets upset about not getting the requested pain medication. “He trains my
hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” (Psalms 57:1, ESV).
Drug Seeking Behavior of the Elderly 3
Alternative pain therapies include using non-opioid drugs such as Tylenol, Advil,
Naprosyn, or even topical analgesics to control the pain. Using mind and body therapies such as
yoga, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation are alternative pain therapies (Agarwal, 2020).
Agarwal (2020) also states that vitamins, minerals, and/or probiotics could be considered as pain
therapies. Another new alternative to pain medications is extracorporeal shock wave therapy
(ESWT) as a new treatment for chronic lower back pain (CLBP) (Celki et al., 2020). The results
of the study showed a significant improvement in the pain parameters of the patients’ CLBP
(Celik et al., 2020). Extracorporeal shock wave therapy enhances the circulation of the blood
and lymphatic systems and stimulates stem cells and growth factors (Celik et al., 2020).
Analgesics, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects are also produced with ESWT (Celik et
al., 2020). “So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those
who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10, ESV).
The Christian nurse practitioner cares for their patients as they would their own family.
We are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of the Lord and should care for one another and protect
each other from harm. Education and community resources should be provided to the elderly
patient by the nurse practitioner. These patients need to understand they cannot sell their pain
medications and if they need monetary assistance, there are different organizations that can assist
them. The Christian nurse practitioner should always look to the right and ethical decisions for
their patients.
Drug Seeking Behavior of the Elderly 4
References
Carroll, C. (2017, Nov 08). Opiods and the elderly: A disturbing trend see seniors turning
into dealers. TCA Regional News.
http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2F
docview%2F1962333102%3Faccountid%3D12085.
Celik, A., Altan, L., & Okmen, B.M. (2020). The effects of extracorporeal shock wave
therapy on pain, disability and life quality of chronic low back pain patients.
Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 26(2), 54-60.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
