In a word: yes. Whether it’s stimulants, opioids, or sedatives, prescription drug abuse has become a big problem in America. While anyone can develop a prescription drug addiction, adolescents and older adults are both at higher risk. For younger individuals, they may not realize the dangers of drug abuse, and they could have access to unused prescription medications at home.
And for older adults, the risk comes from access to many prescription medications due to health conditions, and in some cases a prescription drug addiction may begin with something as simple as a consistent dosing mistake.