At Any Age, It Does Matter:
Substance Abuse and Older Adults (for Professionals)

Module 1: Overview - Page 8 of 9

Myths and Reality Quiz

  1. A glass of wine taken regularly before going to bed will help an older person sleep better.

    TRUE or FALSE

  2. The same amount of alcohol usually has a greater effect on older people than on younger adults.

    TRUE or FALSE

  3. If an older person says that drinking is his or her last remaining pleasure, it is generally best to allow the person to continue to drink—even if the alcohol has become problematic—as long as others are not being put at risk.

    TRUE or FALSE

  4. If an older person is depressed, alcohol is helpful in lifting the person's mood.

    TRUE or FALSE

  5. A person must want to stop drinking or must "hit bottom" before you can help him or her with a drinking problem.

    TRUE or FALSE

  6. An alcohol problem in later life increases the risk for suicide.

    TRUE or FALSE

  7. Older adults have one of the lowest success rates in treatment programs.

    TRUE or FALSE

  8. Treatment is just stopping drinking.

    TRUE or FALSE

  9. Signs of alcoholism in older adults are often mistaken for signs of aging or chronic illness.

    TRUE or FALSE

  10. Older people are more likely than younger adults to admit to having an alcohol problem.

    TRUE or FALSE

  11. Over-the-counter medications and alcohol can be taken safely together.

    TRUE or FALSE

  12. Alcohol in over-the-counter medications is needed as a preservative and is only used in small amounts.

    TRUE or FALSE

  13. When a person has been taking a prescribed medication for years, there is no reason for it to be changed when the person is older.

    TRUE or FALSE

  14. Alcoholism is a sign of moral weakness.

    TRUE or FALSE

  15. Only people who drink large quantities of alcohol on a frequent basis have an alcohol problem.

    TRUE or FALSE

  16. Most older alcoholics are medically debilitated and require extensive health care and social services.

    TRUE or FALSE

  17. Alcohol is the substance most abused by older people.

    TRUE or FALSE

  18. Some older minority members, such as Asian/Pacific Islanders, are easier to treat because their culture encourages cooperation.

    TRUE or FALSE

  19. Some groups, such as Jews, have no alcohol or drug problems.

    TRUE or FALSE

  20. Nursing home residents do not have alcohol problems.

    TRUE or FALSE

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