Elderly Alcoholics

Elderly Alcoholics

More than 3 million Americans over age 60 have a drinking problem, the New York Times reported April 18.

Retirement, declining health, loss of loved ones and isolation are some of the emotional strains that can lead to drinking among older Americans, who also face fewer of the constraints that limit drinking by younger people. Older people often have no job to lose, and a social life that often revolves around happy hour at the retirement community.

Stigma also is worse among older people, who grew up in a time where alcoholism was widely considered a sin, not a disease.

Despite the problems of late-onset drinking, there are only a handful of programs nationally that treat the elderly. The American Medical Association recently issured physician guidelines to help doctors spot the signs of alcoholism among older patients.