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Updated: Aug 17, 2025

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
[Identifying and treating alcohol use disorders in the elderly]
Pascal Menecier1, Perrine Broyer2
1Praticien hospitalier, service d'addictologie, CH Les Chanaux, Mâcon, France ; docteur en psychologie, institut de psychologie, université Lumière- Lyon-2, Bron, France, équipe de recherche DIPHE.
Alcohol use disorders are common in older adults and pose significant health risks, often going undiagnosed. Early screening and adapted treatment strategies lead to positive outcomes for elderly patients.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Addiction Medicine
- Public Health
Context:
- Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) persist in older populations, with age exacerbating risks.
- Comorbidities and polypharmacy in the elderly amplify alcohol-related harm.
- AUDs in older adults are frequently undiagnosed until complications arise.
Purpose:
- To highlight the prevalence and risks of alcohol use disorders in the elderly.
- To emphasize the need for systematic screening and adapted care strategies.
- To underscore the positive prognosis for treating AUDs in older individuals.
Summary:
- Aging does not eliminate alcohol use disorders; it increases susceptibility to alcohol's adverse effects.
- Polypathology and polypharmacy in the elderly heighten risks associated with alcohol consumption.
- Undiagnosed AUDs in older adults often present with severe complications, necessitating proactive identification.
Impact:
- Systematic screening is crucial for early detection of AUDs in the elderly.
- Adapted treatment approaches offer a good to excellent prognosis for older individuals with AUDs.
- Recognizing and addressing AUDs in aging populations improves health outcomes and reduces healthcare burdens.
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