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

Supplements

Exercise on Diagnostic Criteria

  1. Measuring the quantity and frequency of alcohol use is a common way of assessing an abuse problem. Why might this be a problem with older adults?

  2. Two other commonly used signs of addiction are increased tolerance (needing more alcohol to get the same effect) and unsuccessful efforts to control or cut down use. Why might these not apply to older adults?

  3. Another sign is that people with alcohol problems often give up important family, social, and recreational activities. What factors might you need to take into consideration when applying this criterion to an older person?

  4. Younger adults with alcohol problems often come to the attention of the police and courts. What factors might you need to take into consideration when applying this criterion to an older person?

  5. Job performance often suffers when a person has a substance abuse problem. Why might this be less of an issue for an older person?

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