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)

Guidelines for Treating Older Adults

Once it is determined that treatment is needed, it is important to start right away. The sooner treatment starts, the quicker life can begin to get better for a person. In general, alcohol dependence does not go away on its own. However, once older people commit to stop drinking, they are more likely than younger adults to stay sober.

Approaching a person about an alcohol problem is not always easy. A person does not have to admit he or she is an alcoholic or has a problem to be receptive to treatment and to begin recovery. Too often, others think a person has to "hit bottom" first. Or they feel that an older person is too old to benefit from treatment.

Guidelines for intervention, education, and treatment of older adults include:

• Establish a supportive relationship.
• Recognize values and attitudes and address beliefs and fears.
• Treat with dignity and respect.
• Emphasize the disease concept.
• Use an educational approach (as opposed to therapy).
• Be positive and optimistic.
• Be sensitive to physical limitations.
• Use an age-specific treatment approach.
• Identify and build a support system.