Geriatric alcohol abuse: a national epidemic

Substance abuse is a widely identified problem in our society. Alcohol abuse is the most problematic, yet most undertreated. Primary care practitioners often do not screen the geriatric population appropriately for at-risk drinking, so the condition goes undiagnosed. This oversight is complicated by the fact that many manifestations of alcohol abuse do not present themselves until well into the disease process. This article explores the practitioner's role in geriatric alcohol abuse assessment and treatment and the impact of geriatric alcohol abuse on society.