Elderly alcoholics in the Edinburgh psychiatric services.

Thirty-one elderly alcoholics diagnosed in the Edinburgh psychiatric service during a 5-month period were interviewed and compared with 30, sex-matched young alcoholics. The two groups were very similar, except in terms of diagnoses of chronic organic brain disease, and the few differences found may reflect age or generational differences. It is suggested that elderly alcoholics, with the exception of those with chronic organic brain disease, may be treated with young alcoholics in general psychiatry and specialist alcoholism services, while those who have chronic organic brain disease may be better treated in a psychogeriatric service.