Most recently, we heard that statistically people over the age of 65 binge drink more than their younger counterparts, as reported by the CDC. Although alcohol abuse is having more of an impact on our elderly, do you know that it is still being ignored amongst this community?
According to www.about.com article entitled “Alcohol and the Elderly,” alcohol abuse amongst senior citizens remains for the most part undiagnosed, unreported and ignored than their younger counterparts. The article states a plethora of varied reasons for this. One of those reasons is that they are less likely to get in alcohol-related trouble, like drunk driving. Basically, they don’t get the attention and guidance that a young alcoholic would get.
The article also mentions that part of the problem is getting doctors to accept that elderly alcoholics exist. A report of the American Medical Association indicates this. “They may deny that the patient has a drinking problem, or be reluctant to make a diagnosis, because they are uncertain about how to treat the disease or because they question whether treatment is likely to be successful with this age group,” the report said.
But help is certainly out there for properly diagnosed abusers. The article states that elderly alcoholics tend to respond well to treatment and stay in programs. So if you know someone around this age struggling with alcohol, call Mercy Hospital & Medical Center’s ADDP- Behavioral Health Program at 312-567-7600 or go on the hospital’s website at www.mercy-chicago.org.
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