Older adults with alcohol abuse can stem from a variety of situations. It can result from chronic alcohol abuse, a recent onset triggered by life stress, or as a result of continuing drinking habits that do not change as the person ages. Alcohol abuse is a greater danger to older adults because of the increase in effects alcohol has on the body from biological changes that occur with aging. At the November 2008 St. Louis City Senior Response Team Meeting, Dr. Desai of St. Louis University stated that alcohol can interact with 150 different types of medication; and drug interaction is 18 times more likely to occur with use of alcohol. He stated 9 out of 10 substance abuse problems in the older adult population are alcohol abuse. Consequences of alcohol abuse can lead to a decline in physical and emotional health. The American Geriatrics Society report that 5-10% of dementia is a result of alcohol abuse.

Older adults have a higher rate of rehabilitation and recovery from alcoholic abuse than younger generations. Cummings, Bride, and Rawlins-Shaw found age-specific treatment programs produce the most effective results in an older adult staying in treatment and remaining sober. These treatments are usually group interventions with the entire group consisting of persons in the same age range to allow the person to be with peers facing similar issues. Alcohol-related problems for older adults differ from those of younger generations such as the effects of alcohol on one’s health and other age related experiences. According to the American Geriatrics Society, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an effective treatment for older adults and almost one-third of persons in AA are 50 years and older.

Harris House and Preferred Family Health are St. Louis agencies that treat older adults with alcohol abuse. The agencies provide a variety of treatment options including in-patient, out-patient, and family counseling. More actions are needed to address the issue of alcohol abuse in the older adult population. More education on the growing issue of alcohol abuse to the general public as well as health care professionals is necessary to increase awareness and resources to assist older adults with alcohol abuse. Finally, more research is needed to provide professionals an in-depth understanding of the prevalence alcohol abuse among older adults.