CONTENTS

Table of Contents
Introduction

1. Overview
2. Recognizing Alcohol Misuse and Abuse in Older Adults
3. Alcohol and Aging
4. Diagnosing Alcohol Problems in Older Adults
5. Recognizing Other Forms of Substance Abuse
6. Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies
7. Treatment
8. Outcomes and Cost Issues in Alcohol Treatment for Older Adults
9. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Resources

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

Harmful Interactions

Drug-drug and drug-alcohol interactions are of increased importance in older adults for several reasons. Because older adults take more prescription and over-the-counter drugs than younger adults and many continue to drink, the potential for interactions is enhanced. An interaction is likely to be worse in older adults because of slowed metabolism and clearance mechanisms. Unfavorable reactions last longer.

The aging body is also more susceptible to adverse interactions. The presence of chronic diseases tends to increase the number of medications used by older adults. More than 80 percent of adults over age 65 reportedly suffer from one or more chronic diseases or conditions.^46,47

An estimated 83 percent of older adults take at least one prescription drug.^16,48 Thirty percent take eight or more prescription drugs daily.⁴⁹ Thus the risk for drug interactions is increased in those for whom an adverse reaction would be most dangerous. Further research is needed on specific drug interactions and on drug-alcohol combinations that can be deadly, such as alcohol and diazepam (Valium).