Millions of elderly Americans are hooked on Xanax: One in four older adults prescribed drugs for sleep issues and depression become addicted, study warns
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Millions of elderly Americans are becoming highly addicted to anti-anxiety medicines that treat depression, anxiety and sleep issues, a new study had warned.
Figures compiled by the University of Michigan show that one in four older patients who are prescribed the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines never stop using them.
Of the close to 50 million US adults aged 65 or older, about nine percent are prescribed benzos such as Xanax and Valium - more than any other age group - and the rate of use only increases with age.
These drugs are being increasingly scrutinized as drivers of America's addiction epidemic, alongside opioids, as more and more Americans struggle to get off them.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6151275/25-older-adults-use-sedatives-treat-depression-sleep-issues-addicted.html