Alcohol consumption among the elderly: dispelling the myths

Do old people drink? Community surveys suggest that alcohol consumption is lowest among elders compared to any other age group, and that patterns of drinking are relatively stable across mid-to-late life. But is this an accurate portrayal of those individuals seeking medical guidance? In other words, what is the likelihood of alcohol abuse or misuse among the typical hospital, outpatient clinic, or emergency room patient? How difficult is it to spot potential alcohol misuse among the elderly? The purpose of this paper is to address these questions and to assist physicians of the medical community in the important function of early detection and prevention of alcohol abuse/misuse in patient populations.