By: Marjorie Cortez
SALT LAKE CITY -- Abuse of narcotic pain relievers, insomnia drugs and anxiety drugs by women is landing a growing number of them in emergency rooms for drug-related suicide attempts.
A recent report by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows a 49 percent rise in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts by women aged 50 and older between 2005 and 2009.
While some of the increase can be attributed to population growth of women in this age group, the study found stark increases in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts involving drugs that treat anxiety, insomnia and pain, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone products.
Michael Dulle, clinical director of the Salt Lake substance abuse treatment center Odyssey House, said he is personally aware of five to eight female patients, ages 50 and up, who have been hospitalized for accidental overdoses or suicide attempts from prescription drugs in the past 18 months.
Some report being depressed, feeling hopeless, having nowhere to go or feeling abandoned by their support systems, sometimes because of their substance abuse.
Continue Reading: desertnews.com
SALT LAKE CITY -- Abuse of narcotic pain relievers, insomnia drugs and anxiety drugs by women is landing a growing number of them in emergency rooms for drug-related suicide attempts.
A recent report by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows a 49 percent rise in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts by women aged 50 and older between 2005 and 2009.
While some of the increase can be attributed to population growth of women in this age group, the study found stark increases in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts involving drugs that treat anxiety, insomnia and pain, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone products.
Michael Dulle, clinical director of the Salt Lake substance abuse treatment center Odyssey House, said he is personally aware of five to eight female patients, ages 50 and up, who have been hospitalized for accidental overdoses or suicide attempts from prescription drugs in the past 18 months.
Some report being depressed, feeling hopeless, having nowhere to go or feeling abandoned by their support systems, sometimes because of their substance abuse.
Continue Reading: desertnews.com
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