Screening for alcohol use and misuse in older adults: using the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test--Geriatric Version.

The Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test--Geriatric Version (SMAST-G) is often used in outpatient settings to detect "at-risk" alcohol use, alcohol abuse, or alcoholism in older adults. As the number of older adults in the United States grows, those who develop problems of abuse and a dependence on alcohol will grow as well. The availability of accurate, easy-to-use screening tools to detect people in need of counseling can increase the number of older adults whose lives can be improved and even lengthened. To watch a free online video of a nurse administering the SMAST-G, go to http://links.lww.com/A271.