"They came of age in the drug-fueled psychedelic '60s, and faced
adulthood's pressures as medications became a common way to deal with
anxiety, pain and stress.
"Now baby boomers are in danger of becoming the Hooked Generation as they stumble into seniorhood.
"Now baby boomers are in danger of becoming the Hooked Generation as they stumble into seniorhood.
"State and federal statistics show the number of people in their
50s and early 60s reporting illicit drug use and seeking help with addictions skyrocketed in the past decade.
"'We can't ignore that older adults are using harder substances, that we are seeing increases in emergency room visits where people present with drug abuse,' said Dr. Gayathri Dowling, acting chief of the science policy branch at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 'But when we think about these addictions, we tend to think about younger people.
"'Nobody thinks to ask older people about substance abuse, and that includes their physicians.'"
"'We can't ignore that older adults are using harder substances, that we are seeing increases in emergency room visits where people present with drug abuse,' said Dr. Gayathri Dowling, acting chief of the science policy branch at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 'But when we think about these addictions, we tend to think about younger people.
"'Nobody thinks to ask older people about substance abuse, and that includes their physicians.'"
I can imagine getting hooked on tranquilizers or painkillers at my age, but crack cocaine? I would think that anyone hardcore enough to do crack would have reformed/burned out/died a long time ago.
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4 comments:
I can believe it. I'm so glad I chose to quit drinking, regain control, and eat healthy and exercise.
All my friends in their 40's are now having health issues from their addictions and bad habits - and not one has learned anything from me. I don't expect them to either - because I didn't learn anything from watching others self-destruct. It's something you do for yourself - and it's not easy - your addictions have changed your brain and the chemical/hormone interactions/balances in your body.
To no avail, I tried to illustrate this point elsewhere - believe what you will, but all resources are limited. Hard choices will loom in the future over this - and people will fight over it- Of course, those at the top will get it all - but believe me when I say that in the future - GOOD HEALTH WILL BE PRICELESS - All others will be dead.
Your personal health, to a large extent, decides upon the choices you make today - exercise, or not, eat right, or not, consume alcohol, drugs, overweight, etc.
My Grandpa believed that the body was a temple - and was healthy and active until his 80's - the stroke was cruel - it should have killed him, and would have without medical intervention - which shouldn't have happened - it left him mute, in a wheelchair and unable to function for himself. He lingered for a few years before passing. He should have been allowed to die -
I believe that in the very near future - people who caused their medical conditions - by smoking, drinking, excess weight, promiscuity, etc. will find themselves DENIED medical care for their self- induced conditions.
Your body - your responsibility.
Better living through chemistry
Good for you for the strength to fight your demons. Excess of anything will kill you. My great-grandfather drank a little Mogen David every day and he lived to be 102. I intend to follow in those footprints.
As for denying medical care, I'm still hoping we don't get so hard that we turn our backs on grandma, but.... there has been some talk about imposing a sugar/fat tax. "Psssst, you want the sweet stuff, buddy?" You'll need to pay in advance for that future medical care.
And just a rhetorical question (because it is too hot out to get into a huge argument)... you want government involved in denying health care, but not involved in managing it?
Hmm, could one make a living as a drug dealer to nursing homes?
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