Don’t Forget About Adults, They Misuse Prescription Drugs, Too

(Spring 2016 [updated Spring 2019]) Increasing prescription drug abuse by adults has serious effects on workplaces. However, through awareness and education, employers can arrest some of the damage.

Of the 46 Americans who die from prescription painkiller overdose every day, the adult count is growing. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, between 1993 and 2012 the rate of hospitalizations for Rx painkiller overdoses increased 500% among adults 45 to 85 years of age. The number of adults, ages 55 – 64, dying from painkiller and opioid overdoses increased 700% during this same timeframe. Moreover, painkiller-related deaths were highest in adults 45 – 54 years old and four times higher than the rates for teenagers and young adults.

These numbers make sense given that the nation’s aging population is growing at a time when there is more promotion and availability of all kinds of medications, including prescription painkillers. As people age, additional dynamics contribute to the problems of misuse and abuse. Aging is often accompanied by

• more chronic pain
• a longer timeframe for drugs to leave one’s system
• taking multiple medications resulting in a greater opportunity for adverse drug interactions
• difficulty keeping track of medications (e.g., whether or when a pill was taken)

Not only are people living longer, but they are also working longer. The median age of American workers is 36.7 (according to Forbes), and we have four generations represented in our workplaces. Given these facts, there is a high probability that individuals 45 – 85 years of age make up a good percentage of your workforce.

It is important for employers to be aware of this information because workplaces can play a vital role in positively affecting this population.

Adult workers need education to prevent their misuse and abuse of prescription painkillers, but another impact employers are realizing is that many of their employees are also caregivers. As the entire population ages, family members are being relied upon more and more to help with elder care – 60% of caregivers are working full- or part-time jobs.

With the majority of the workforce either helping to care for individuals at risk of misusing prescription painkillers or being in one of the age groups who have experienced a substantial increase in prescription misuse and overdoses, employers are financially impacted:

• Misuse, abuse and death from prescription painkillers (or any drug for that matter) can affect the businesses’ bottom lines. Nationwide, lost productivity costs employers an estimated $120 billion.
• Caring for family members and elder care also impacts lost productivity from full-time employees is estimated at $33.6 billion.

It is in an employer’s best interest to think about the entire life-cycle and educate employees about being critical and responsible users of prescription medications. Research has shown that education about the risks and dangers associated with prescription drug abuse can help people make better choices.

Encouraging people to ask questions about the medication being prescribed and being aware of the myths and misconceptions that surround prescription medication are critical elements of that education. Gone should be the days of thinking, “If it comes from a doctor it must be safe.” Helping employees become more responsible, critical consumers of prescription drugs benefits not only an employer’s bottom line but contributes to the health and quality of life for each employee and ultimately reduces the impact prescription drug abuse has on society