Caution Against Medication Dependency

Excessive medication use has become a problem for many, often causing negative effects instead of positive ones. This is especially true for older adults, many of whom take at least three pills daily. Aging leads to biomorphosis, reducing organ function, which causes medications to linger longer in the body and be harder to excrete. Slower kidney function in older adults hinders toxin elimination, often resulting in vomiting. Additionally, older adults face up to six times higher risk of side effects.

The risk of medication dependency is greater in older adults, particularly with drugs available without a prescription, such as painkillers, sedatives, or cold remedies. Dependency is especially likely with alkaloids like codeine, caffeine, morphine, or quinine, which affect nerve cells. Many organ disorders are caused by excessive or improper medication use, leading to greater health issues instead of alleviating conditions.

You can manage medication therapy more successfully by consulting your doctor and following these tips:

- Do not use new medications without consulting your doctor, especially over-the-counter drugs.
- Dosage must be adjusted to physiological changes due to aging. Some doctors overlook this, simply prescribing half doses. If you feel changes or sensitivity after the first dose, the prescribed dose may be too high.
- Bring a list of all medications you currently take to doctor visits to avoid incompatible prescriptions.
- Every medication has side effects. Have your doctor explain them in detail so you can mitigate them through diet or avoiding certain drinks.
- Alcohol causes many side effects when taken with analgesics, while smoking reduces their effectiveness nearly fourfold.
- Read the instructions included with each medication. Consult your doctor if any terms are unclear.
- Ask if herbal preparations, which typically cause fewer side effects, can be as effective as synthetic drugs, and use them if appropriate.
- Discuss with your doctor whether natural treatment methods can be applied in your case.
- Create an exact medication schedule with your doctor, including precise dosages and timing, especially for antibiotics. Do not stop treatment as soon as you feel better.
- Avoid long-term use of sedatives or painkillers unless prescribed, as they carry a risk of dependency.
- Pain is a bodily response to stress and may resolve without medication. For headaches, a walk in fresh air may help more than a pill. For fatigue, try a warm bath.
- If pain persists after prolonged medication use, stop taking the drugs, as they may only suppress symptoms, and seek the actual cause of the pain.
- Many medications prescribed to older adults are antidepressants, but they are not a permanent solution. Meaningful life activities are a much better medicine.