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Published on: January 5, 2018
Elderly alcoholics in outpatient treatment
Bent Nielsen1, Anette Søgaard Nielsen, Anette Lolk
1Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. bent.nielsen@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
Danish Medical Bulletin
|November 9, 2010
Summary
Elderly alcoholics in public clinics have fewer problems than younger patients, suggesting treatment may not need to be as intensive. This impacts the organization of care for older individuals with alcohol use disorder.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Addiction Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Public outpatient alcohol clinics in Denmark provide treatment for individuals with alcohol use disorder.
- Understanding differences between elderly and younger patients is crucial for effective treatment organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sociodemographic, drinking pattern, and psychiatric comorbidity differences between elderly (≥ 60 years) and younger alcoholic patients.
- To determine if these differences necessitate adjustments in treatment strategies for older adults.
Main Methods:
- A study of 2,530 patients initiating psychosocial treatment at alcohol outpatient clinics.
- Utilized the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) for pre-treatment interviews assessing seven problem areas.
Main Results:
- Elderly patients (8.7% of the cohort) reported significantly fewer problems in employment, drug use, family/social circumstances, and psychiatric health compared to younger patients.
- The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) scores highlighted these key differences.
Conclusions:
- Elderly alcoholics accessing public outpatient care exhibit distinct characteristics compared to their younger counterparts.
- Treatment approaches for elderly alcoholics may require less intensive interventions than currently provided, influencing service organization.
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