[The implications of age at onset of chronic alcoholism--an overview]

This paper gives a short review about the available literature concerning the impacts of age of alcoholism onset. Empirical studies of the last twenty years have mainly tried to find differences between onset during youth and the middle age. There are only few reports about specific characteristics of patients, who have developed alcoholism in their older age. Biological and psychosocial findings and therapeutic considerations are described. Their account on further research and practical care are discussed.