Abstract
Thus far, we know relatively little about alcoholism among the elderly across cultures. However, extrapolation from available reports suggests certain common features across cultures. These include an inverse relationship between age and problem-producing dosages, increased risk of elderly alcoholics to trauma, greater efficacy of milieu changes with age, and a concentration of elderly alcoholics in cities. Conversely, certain other aspects of aging that vary across cultures may influence alcoholism in the elderly. These include the biological concomitants of aging, social status and the role of the elderly in the society (including integration or isolation of widowed persons), dealing with problematic behavior in the elderly, and patterns of alcohol use by the elderly. Future strategies for researching alcoholism among the elderly are suggested. It is suggested that cultural norms and values, as well as social policy, ameliorate or exacerbate alcohol-related problems among the elderly.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Westermeyer J, Brantner J: Violent death and alcohol use among the Chippewa in Minnesota. Minn Med 55:749–752, 1972.
Barnes GM: Alcohol use among older persons: Findings from a western New York State general population survey. J Am Geriatr Soc 27:244–250, 1979.
Gurland BJ, Sharpe L, Simon R, et al: Outcome of hospitalization of geriatric patients in public psychiatric wards in New York and London. Can Psychiatr Assoc J 21:421–431, 1976.
Epstein L, Mills C, Simon A: Antisocial behavior in the elderly. Compr Psychiatry 11:36–42, 1970.
Fresneau M: Alcoholism in the elderly in Angers. Rev Alcool 15:58–60, 1969.
Gaillard A, Perrin P: Alcoholism in aged persons. Rev Alcool 15:5–32, 1969.
Pequignot M, Viosin P, Guerre J, et al: Aspects of alcoholism in the aged, hospitalized on a general medical ward. Rev Alcool 15:33–45, 1969.
Vidojkovic P, Grbesa B, Miljkovic S, et al: Alcoholism in the aged. Alkoholizam (Belgrade) 10:52–59, 1970.
Blose IL: The relationship of alcohol to aging and the elderly. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 2:19–20, 1978.
Wu Chen I: Personal communication, 1980.
Gardner E, Bahn A, Mack M: Suicide and psychiatric care in the aging. Arch Gen Psychiatry 10:547–553, 1963.
Hartelius M: A study of suicides in Sweden 1951–63, including a comparison with 1925–50. Acta Psychiatr Scand 43:121–143, 1967.
Bourne P: Drug abuse in the aging. Perspect Aging 2:18–20, 1973.
Slater DE, Kastenbaum R: Paradoxical reactions to drugs: Some personality and ethnic correlates. J Am Geriatr Soc 14:1016–1034, 1966.
Lemert EM: Drinking in Hawaiian plantation society. Q J Stud Alcohol 25:689–713, 1964.
Karayannis A, Kelepouris MB: Impressions of the drinking habits and alcohol problem in modern Greece. Br J Addict 62:71–73, 1967.
Knupfer G, Room R: Drinking patterns and attitudes of Irish, Jewish and White Protestant men. Q J Stud Alcohol 28:676–699, 1967.
Kunitz SJ, Levy JE, Odoroff CL, et al: The epidemiology of alcoholism in two southwestern Indian tribes. Q J Stud Alcohol 32:706–720, 1971.
Walsh BM, Walsh D: Validity of indices of alcoholism: A comment from the Irish experience. Br J Prev Soc Med 27:18–26, 1973.
Westermeyer J: Poppies, Pipes and People: A Study of Opium and Its Use in Laos. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1982.
Turner TB, Bennett VL, Hernandez H: The beneficial side of moderate alcohol use. Johns Hopkins Med J 148:53–63, 1981.
Schuckit MA: Geriatric alcoholism and drug abuse. Gerontologist 17:168–174, 1977.
Capel WC, Goldsmith BM, Waddell KJ: The aging narcotic addict: An increasing problem for the next decades. J Gerontol 27:102–106, 1972.
Vestal RE, McQuire EA, Tobin JD, et al: Aging and ethanol metabolism. Clin Parmacol Ther 21:343–354, 1977.
Wood WG, Armbrecht MV: Behavioral effects of ethanol in animals: Age differences and age changes. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 6:3–12, 1982.
Calahan D, Cisin IH, Crossley HM: American Drinking Practices. New Brunswick, New Jersey, Rutgers Center for Alcohol Studies, 1969.
Mishara B, Kastenbaum R: Alcohol and Old Age. New York, Grune and Stratton, 1980.
Freund G: The interaction of chronic alcohol consumption and aging on brain structure and function. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 6:13–21, 1982.
Ryan C: Alcoholism and premature aging: A neuropsychological perspective. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 6:22–30, 1982.
Minick C: Maturing out of narcotic addiction. Bull Narcotics 14:1–7, 1962.
Drew L: Alcoholism as a self-limiting disease. Q J Stud Alcohol 29:956–967, 1968.
Snow M: Maturing out of narcotic addiction in New York City. Int J Addict 8:921–938, 1973.
Smart RG, Liban CB: Predictors of problem drinking among elderly, middle-aged and youthful drinkers. J Psychoactive Drugs 13:153–163, 1981.
Glatt MM: Experiences with elderly alcoholics in England. Alcoholism: Clin Exp Res 2:23–26, 1978.
Wattis JP: Alcohol problems in the elderly. J Am Geriatr Soc 29:131–134, 1981.
Duckworth GL, Rosenblatt A: Helping the elderly alcoholic. Soc Casework 57:296–301, 1976.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1984 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Westermeyer, J. (1984). Cross-Cultural Aspects of Alcoholism in the Elderly. In: Galanter, M., et al. Recent Developments in Alcoholism. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4661-6_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4661-6_16
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-4663-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-4661-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive