Lonely older adults more likely to use prescription drugs, study finds

A new study suggests that older adults who are lonely are twice as likely to use opioids for pain and 2 1/2 times more likely to use sedatives and anti-anxiety medications, potentially putting them at risk for drug dependency or other adverse health outcomes.

According to the findings, 6% of the non-lonely group used prescription opioids and 9% used anti-anxiety medications or sedatives, whereas 8% of the moderately lonely used opioids and 13% used anti-anxiety medications or sedatives. Among the highly lonely group, 11% used prescription opioids and 23% used anti-anxiety medications or sedatives.  The highly lonely group was also more likely to be on five or more medications, the authors noted.