It's so important to be able to identify the signs in order to support your loved ones. Other signs include failure to keep up with responsibilities, lying to doctors about your condition, worsening physical and mental health, and denial and irritability when confronted with the problem. When the signs and symptoms worsen, consider seeking treatment. Source: https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/what-we-treat/drug-abuse-treatment/prescription-drug-treatment/

Unfortunately, I'm witnessing this in my now 80 yr old mother, who first began to my knowledge, 25 yrs ago, using Codeine for Chronic Sinus Infections fast forward 25 yrs later and she is still taking them for the same sinus infection lol smh, I know she's addicted and she has all her kids, PCP, fooled but I tell her stop being in denial but she's not in denial cause she really knows she's addicted, from the withdrawal symptoms she has when she runs out. She has resulted to learning how to illegally purchase them off the streets at extremely high dollar amounts and she lives with me and it sickens me to watch her behavior when she has none to how it changes as soon as she gets some. So yes, elderly addiction is real.