Clinical Characteristics of Early- and Late-Onset Problem Drinkers

Variable Early Onset Late Onset
Age at onset Various, e.g., 25, 40, 45 Various, e.g., 55, 60, 65
Gender Higher proportion of men than women Higher proportion of women than men
Socioeconomic status Tends to be lower Tends to be higher
Drinking in response to stressors Common Common
Family history of alcoholism More prevalent Less prevalent
Extent and severity of alcohol problems More psychosocial, legal problems, greater severity Fewer psychosocial, legal problems, lesser severity
Alcohol-related chronic illness (e.g., cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cancers) More common Less common
Psychiatric comorbidities Cognitive loss more severe, less reversible Cognitive loss less severe, more reversible
Age-associated medical problems aggravated by alcohol (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, drug-alcohol interactions) Common Common
Treatment compliance and outcome Possibly less compliant; relapse rates do not vary by age of onset1-3 Possibly more compliant; relapse rates do not vary by age of onset1-3

References

  1. Atkinson, R.M.; Tolson, R.L.; and Turner, J.A. Late versus early onset problem drinking in older men. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 1990, 14(4):574-579.
  2. Blow, F.C.; Walton, M.A.; Chermack, S.T.; et al. Older adult treatment outcome following elder-specific inpatient alcoholism treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 2000, 19(1):67-75.
  3. Schonfeld, L., and Dupree, L.W. Antecedents of drinking for early- and late-onset elderly alcohol abusers. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 1991, 52:587-592.