Centre for Policy on Ageing



Alcohol misuse in the elderly
Author(s)	E J Williams, P Medcalf
Journal title	GM (Geriatric Medicine), vol 40, no 5, May 2010
Pages	pp 251-257
Source	http://www.gerimed.co.uk
Keywords	Alcoholism ; Diagnosis ; Psychiatric treatment.
Annotation	Alcohol use disorders are common in the older population, and on the increase as the population ages. While life changes may trigger the unhealthy use of alcohol, ageing physiology, comorbidities and polypharmacy can increase vulnerability to its effects. Alcohol use disorders are currently underdiagnosed in older people, in whom the early signs may be masked by altered patterns of drinking and non-specific presentations. Standard screening tools remain unvalidated in the older patient, and biochemical tests are nonspecific in the context of multiple comorbidities. However, short psychological interventions have proven very effective in minimising alcohol misuse in older people. This article reviews the management of alcohol use disorders in older people, in advance of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on their clinical management, which is expected in early June. (KJ/RH).
Accession Number	CPA-100706203 A
Classmark	ETA: LK7: LP
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.