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Geriatric Medicine pp 219–235Cite as

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

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Abstract

Approximately 1 in 12 elderly men will have a serious drinking problem. If this is identified and the elderly drinker enters treatment, he will fare better than younger patients. However, since his initial presentation will include falls, confusion, or incontinence instead of the classic signs of alcohol abuse—and also because he consumes less alcohol than a younger problem drinker—chances are that his problem may not be recognized or treated. These and other facts about alcohol and drug abuse in old age have received little notice. Instead, one typically thinks of youth and younger adults, classic signs of intoxication or withdrawal, disruptive behavior, and failed therapeutic efforts when one considers these disorders. Recently available studies indicate that elderly persons do experience significant alcohol and drug problems, and that there are special hopeful features in this age group with respect to use patterns, diagnosis, and treatment.1–3 Before this information is surveyed, it may be useful to mention a few definitions and concepts that underlie the present understanding of these disorders in people of all ages.

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Authors
  1. Roland M. Atkinson M.D.
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  2. Lial L. Kofoed M.D.
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geriatrics, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, New York, 10029, USA

    Christine K. Cassel M.D.

  2. Section of Geriatric Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA

    John Richard Walsh M.D.

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© 1984 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

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Atkinson, R.M., Kofoed, L.L. (1984). Alcohol and Drug Abuse. In: Cassel, C.K., Walsh, J.R. (eds) Geriatric Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5232-0_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5232-0_17

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