Opioid addiction is a problem within the United States that is impacting all age groups. The elderly are a population that is seldom discussed as being affected by opioids. Physiologically, the older adult is more susceptible for complications associated with an alteration in pharmacokinetics and late diagnosis of diseases such as viral hepatitis C. Health promotion for this population is imperative in the prevention and treatment of opioid addiction problems.
Department of Nursing, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT
No human subjects were used in this case study. The case study is purely hypothetical and representative of the disease processes persons with an opioid addiction experience from a clinical application perspective.
The author declares no conflict of interest.
Reprints: Cheryl A. Green, PhD, DNP, RN, LCSW, CNL, MAC, FAPA, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven 06510, CT (e-mail: greenc16@soutehrnct.edu).
