|
Alcohol
Abuse and the Elderly: It’s not just for kids anymore
 Alcohol
abuse among the elderly:
Alcohol abuse and
dependency are frequently believed to be problems of the young, but
recent surveys are indicating otherwise. Research now indicates that
about 5% of Americans over the age of 65 may have significant drinking
problems to the degree that it may be defined as alcohol abuse. It is
estimated that older men have a problem with drinking at the rate of
four to one to women. Approximately a decade ago, a large community
survey considering the prevalence of mental disorders in United States
found that
alcohol abuse was the third most commonly diagnosed mental
illness (after dementia and anxiety disorders) in men over the age of
65. The survey found that alcohol abuse and dependence on either
alcohol or other drugs were the most common psychiatric diagnoses of
men in their 60’s. Also, other studies have found that alcohol may
play a role in approximately one third of the suicides in elderly
people.
Frequently people
do not understand exactly what the terms "alcohol abuse" and "alcohol
dependency" really refer to. Alcohol abuse is defined as a
pattern of alcohol use that is demonstrated to have at least one of
the following characteristics: Continued use of alcohol despite
social, occupational, psychological, or physical problems that are
caused or worsened by its continued use, and recurrent use in
situations which are physically hazardous, such as driving. These
problems must have been present for at least a month or occurred
repeatedly over a long period of time.
Alcohol dependency
refers to any individual who meets at least three of the following
characteristics:
A persistent
desire or unsuccessful attempts to cut back on consumption.
A great deal of
time spent in activities obtaining alcohol or recovering from its
effects.
Frequent
intoxication or withdrawal effects when an individual is expected to
fulfill major obligations or when alcohol use is actually physically
hazardous.
Giving up or
reducing normal activities to use alcohol.
Continuing the
use of alcohol in spite of social, psychological or physical
problems, or exacerbated by its use.
Marked tolerance
to the effects of alcohol.
Withdrawal
symptoms.
Frequently
taking alcohol to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
These symptoms
must have persisted for least a month or recurred repeatedly over long
periods of time such as with alcohol abuse.
Some information
from The American Geriatrics Society’s Complete Guide to Aging &
Health by Mark E. Williams
Additional
information by
Paul Susic MA Licensed Psychologist
Ph.D. Candidate (Geriatric Psychologist)
|
