TY - JOUR
T1 - Alcohol abuse by older family members
T2 - A family systems analysis of assessment and intervention
AU - Stelle, Charles D.
AU - Scott, Jean Pearson
PY - 2007/7/26
Y1 - 2007/7/26
N2 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes alcohol related problems with older adults as "underestimated, underidentified, underdiagnosed, and undertreated" (SAMHSA, 2004, p. 1) and describes the phenomenon as an "invisible epidemic" (SAMHSA, 2004, p. 1). The purpose of this review is to address the prevalence and consequences of alcohol abuse in the older adult population by emphasizing the heterogeneity of factors contributing to, and providing a context for, the understanding of alcohol abuse in aging families. Issues surrounding the sensitivity and specificity of assessment of older adult alcohol abusers are covered. Strategies for intervention at both an individual and family level are also included. Although much of the literature available on older adult alcohol use and misuse addresses the consequences, assessment, and intervention from an individualized perspective, this review concludes that a family-oriented approach to intervention may best serve the needs of older alcohol abusers and their support network of family and friends.
AB - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes alcohol related problems with older adults as "underestimated, underidentified, underdiagnosed, and undertreated" (SAMHSA, 2004, p. 1) and describes the phenomenon as an "invisible epidemic" (SAMHSA, 2004, p. 1). The purpose of this review is to address the prevalence and consequences of alcohol abuse in the older adult population by emphasizing the heterogeneity of factors contributing to, and providing a context for, the understanding of alcohol abuse in aging families. Issues surrounding the sensitivity and specificity of assessment of older adult alcohol abusers are covered. Strategies for intervention at both an individual and family level are also included. Although much of the literature available on older adult alcohol use and misuse addresses the consequences, assessment, and intervention from an individualized perspective, this review concludes that a family-oriented approach to intervention may best serve the needs of older alcohol abusers and their support network of family and friends.
KW - Alcohol abuse
KW - Assessment
KW - Family systems
KW - Family therapy
KW - Older adults
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34548460735&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1300/J020v25n01_04
DO - 10.1300/J020v25n01_04
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:34548460735
VL - 25
SP - 43
EP - 63
JO - Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly
JF - Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly
SN - 0734-7324
IS - 1-2
ER -