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Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (2006) 12: 173-181
© 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Alcohol use disorders in elderly people: fact or fiction?

Karim Dar

Karim Dar is consultant psychiatrist in substance misuse at St Bernard’s Hospital (Uxbridge Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3EU, UK. Email: karim.dar{at}nhs.net). His clinical responsibilities include the Max Glatt Unit (a regional in-patient detoxification unit attached to the hospital) and a community alcohol team. His special interests include substance misuse problems in special populations and the economics of service provision.

The number of older people is increasing in populations throughout the world. Alcohol use disorders in elderly people are a common but underrecognised problem associated with major physical and psychological health problems. Owing to the negative attitudes and inadequate training of healthcare professionals, alcohol misuse is not always being detected or effectively treated. Current diagnostic criteria and common screening instruments for alcohol use disorders may not be appropriate for elderly people. Older people are as likely to benefit from treatment as younger people and the basic principles of treatment are much the same. Better integrated and outreach services are needed. Training of healthcare professionals in this area and pragmatic research should be prioritised to improve detection, treatment and service provision for this vulnerable and neglected population.




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