Geriatric Alcoholism

Alcohol-abuse and alcoholism among the elderly is perceived as a national epidemic among health care workers, social workers, and the mental health community in the United States. This dissertation examines the literature on geriatric alcohol-abuse and alcoholism, focusing on three main aspects of the complex health issue: 1) The complexity of geriatric alcohol-abuse and alcoholism compounded by underdetection and undertreatment among the population; 2) The deleterious physiological and psychological effects that result among the elderly from alcohol-abuse and alcoholism; 3) The impact of alcohol-abuse and alcoholism among the elderly when it comes to family members and health care workers. A conclusion will address some of the means and methods of trying to reduce the complexities of alcohol-abuse and alcoholism among the elderly in an effort to increase the level of detection and treatment among the population.

Chapter One: Introduction ��3

Chapter Two: Review of Literature��6

Chapter Three: Effects & Impact��21

Chapter Four: Conclusion��31

References��34

Traditionally, alcohol-abuse and alcoholism is considered to be lower among the elderly population than the young. Various studies and surveys support this contention, like the Al

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s binge drinkers, meaning they had five drinks at least one time, and 15 percent of that 10 percent binge drank, meaning five drinks at one time at least once a week. Alcohol-abuse and alcoholism can take a toll at any age, but the elderly are even more susceptible to the detrimental effects of alcohol abuse. Tolerance declines as age increases. Further, the same amount of alcohol consumed earlier in life can lead to much more devastating effects on the mind and body in later life. Medical problems and medications combined with alcohol are often negatively compounded and the danger of falling, which has more severe effects on the elderly, also increases. The elderly are even more susceptible to alcohol-abuse because they are the largest target market for self-medication products. As noted in McAleavy (1996, H07) "They're part of the mainstream society that has just been inundated with the message to self-medicate for pain." For many elderly, alcohol becomes the pain medication of choice. Further compounding the problem is that most people over age 65 were raised with the mentality that drinking was a weakness, not an illness. They were also taught to believe that revealing personal weaknesses or asking for help were, in t

Category: Psychology - G