Substance abuse and the hospitalized elderly.

Health care professionals frequently fail to recognize and address the misuse and abuse of alcohol and drugs in the elderly. Estimates of alcohol abuse in the older adult population range from 4% to 20% in the community dwelling elderly and up to approximately 25% among hospitalized older adults (Adams & Cox, 1995; Adams & Kinney, 1995; Beresford et al., 1990). In addition, the present population of older adults consumes 2-3 times more psychoactive medications than younger age groups (Sheahan et al., 1995). The effects of alcohol and substance abuse in older adults are influenced by physical, developmental, and psychosocial changes that occur with aging. Identification of alcohol and substance abuse presents a challenge for health care providers as older adults often present with atypical symptoms. Accurate diagnosis allows for the initiation of interventions for both immediate and long-term treatment.