Jean’s Take on the Scary News

While there is no way that the WebMD story I reported on yesterday (about the alarming increase in drug abuse among people over 50) is good news for Ageless Beauties, taking the data apart reveals a less alarming picture in one respect.

In 1992, 65 million Americans were 50 and older. In 2008, our ranks numbered 94 million. That’s a 45% increase or near doubling. If hospital admissions for drug abuse treatment nearly doubled in the period as well, the increase in admissions on a percentage basis may not have increased at all.

In other words, the percentage of Americans over 50 who have substance abuse problems (as evidenced by hospital admissions data) has held steady between 1992 and 2008.

What I believe Ageless Beauties should take away from the WebMD story is illustrated in the two pie charts shown here. Notice the big proportional shift toward more hospital admissions due to misuse of prescription drugs.


I urge all my friends not to become one of these statistics. Be very careful with those prescription painkillers and sleeping pills. Don’t ever give them to friends. Follow doctor’s orders about their use and possible interactions.

Please read The Elephant in the Room.

Tags: senior drug abuse, increase in drug abuse, abuse of prescription painkillers, avoid early disability, the elephant in the room, addictions, disability of addiction