As we age, the use of multiple medications increases. Those aged 60 and older use the most medications; 37% reported using five or more prescription medications in the past month. Polypharmacy is defined as using five or more medications, while hyper-polypharmacy refers to ten or more. Prescriptions for diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and pain account for more than 45% of all prescriptions in the United States. Research indicates that prescribed medications with potential for substance use disorder among individuals aged 60 and older include benzodiazepines, opioid pain medicines, and medical marijuana. Older adults are more likely to unintentionally misuse medicines by forgetting doses, taking them too often, or taking the wrong amount. More research is needed on the effects of substance use on the aging brain and effective models of care for older adults with substance use disorders.

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