Al Jazeera America:
Once thought to be a problem of the young, opioid addiction is becoming increasingly common among elderly Americans
In early July, 70-year-old Carol Billker traveled two hours from her home in Rockledge, Florida, to Hanley Center, an in-patient substance abuse treatment facility in West Palm Beach, to attend a support group for recovering drug addicts.
With her silver hair, soft-spoken voice and sweet demeanor, she looked out of place in a circle that included former alcoholics and drug abusers, many of whom were in their 20s and 30s. As she addressed the group, Carol described the impact that being hooked on powerful opioid painkillers had on her life.
“You never realize how foggy you are until you go through the recovery and get off the drugs,” she said.
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