Aging during the opioid crisis

Aging during the opioid crisis

From Countermeasures by Emergent BioSolutions

October 30, 2024 · 24 min · Season 2 · Episode 6

About this episode

This episode explores the impact of the opioid crisis on older adults, highlighting their unique challenges and the reasons they are often overlooked in discussions about dependency and recovery.

When you think of the opioid crisis, older adults are likely not what comes to mind. However, older adults are highly impacted by the crisis. For some, it is a result of the opioid medications prescribed for chronic pain, while others have struggled with chronic substance use disorder for years, even before the crisis began.  In this episode, we explore the often unexpected ways the opioid crisis is affecting older adults. We'll dive into why this group is so often overlooked in discussions about dependency and recovery, and examine the unique challenges they face in accessing education and care. Guests: Maryann Mason, PhD ,  Sociologist and an associate professor of emergency medicine at Northwestern University Mary Nguyen , Pharmacist Jessica Liebster , Case Manager at West Neighbourhood House

People in this episode

Guests: Maryann Mason, Mary Nguyen, Jessica Liebster

Topics covered

  • opioid crisis
  • older adults
  • substance use disorder
  • chronic pain
  • dependency
  • recovery
  • access to care

Keywords

  • opioid crisis
  • older adults
  • chronic pain
  • substance use disorder
  • dependency
  • recovery
  • education
  • care access

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Northwestern University

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