Thibault J M, Maly R C
Department of Family Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky.
Prim Care. 1993 Mar;20(1):155-65.
Elderly people do use substances to alter mood and states of awareness. Detection is difficult because presenting symptoms are often those that are commonly associated with aging itself. All patients who present with symptoms of self-neglect, falls, cognitive and affective impairment, and social withdrawal should be screened for substance abuse. The CAGE and MAST, although not perfect, can be used. When abuse is found, the elderly should be treated as aggressively as their younger counterparts, with slow, careful detoxification and the use of some form of group therapy, such as AA.
老年人确实会使用药物来改变情绪和意识状态。检测很困难，因为所呈现的症状往往是那些通常与衰老本身相关的症状。所有出现自我忽视、跌倒、认知和情感障碍以及社交退缩症状的患者都应接受药物滥用筛查。CAGE和MAST量表虽然并不完美，但可以使用。当发现药物滥用情况时，老年人应像年轻人一样积极接受治疗，进行缓慢、谨慎的戒毒，并采用某种形式的团体治疗，如戒酒互助会。
