Drinking careers of older male alcoholics in treatment as compared to younger alcoholics and to older social drinkers.

OBJECTIVE

In order to answer the question whether older alcoholics form a distinct group among problem drinkers and within their age cohort, drinking histories of male, older (over 50 years of age) alcoholics in treatment (n = 52) are compared to those of younger alcoholics (n = 55), and to those of older social drinkers (n = 46). Within the older alcoholics category, comparisons are made by age of onset. Changes in consumption volume and onset and remission of heavy drinking, morning drinking and solitary drinking are related to events in other spheres of life.

METHOD

In face-to-face interviews, respondents were asked to report drinking behavior in subsequent drinking phases, from the beginning of regular drinking to the present. Events that marked a transition to a new drinking phase, as well as the impact that these events had on the general well-being of the respondents, were assessed using a semistructured interview format.

RESULTS

Compared to younger alcoholics, older alcoholics were older when they started drinking regularly, and they report later age at onset of heavy drinking. Older alcoholics and social drinkers were similar with respect to the first years of their drinking career. Older alcoholics with onset of heavy drinking before the age of 35 were similar to younger alcoholics, while older alcoholics with later onset of heavy drinking resembled social drinkers with respect to their earlier drinking history. Alcoholics with later onset more often reported onset in connection with events such as marital disruption.

CONCLUSION

Among older alcoholics, a distinct group can be distinguished that may benefit from specific prevention and treatment measures.