CONTENTS

Table of Contents
Introduction

1. Overview
2. Alcohol
3. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
4. Barriers to Recognizing Problems
5. Signs and Symptoms of Misuse
6. Talking About Sensitive Issues
7. Assessing a Problem
8. Preventing Misuse
9. Intervention and Treatment

Supplements
Resources

Alcohol, Medication and Older Adults
For Those Who Care About or Care for an Older Adult

Summary

• Attitudes, beliefs, and denial can be major barriers to recognizing an alcohol problem.
• Recognizing alcohol problems in older adults is difficult because the signs are similar to those of many other conditions common in older adults.
• The health care system can be a barrier to recognizing an alcohol problem as older adults see several different doctors, have hurried office visits, or have inadequate insurance coverage to get the care they need.