Elderly alcohol abuse is a common problem that affects hundreds of thousands of people today. If you are looking for help for yourself or a loved one, you are not alone. Fortunately, there are many addiction treatment facilities that can help with elderly alcohol abuse. Some people do not start abusing alcohol until they are in their senior years. Others have abused alcohol for years and it has extended into their senior years. It’s important to learn about elderly alcohol abuse because the elderly are affected differently. It’s also important to learn about elderly alcohol abuse because it can happen to you or a family member and you want to be aware of its symptoms.
Exactly What Is Elderly Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol addiction begins when casual alcohol use escalates to excessive consumption. Elderly alcohol abuse is the same thing just for older people. Reaching an elderly age is defined differently depending upon which part of the world you’re in. According to the National Institute of Health, elderly persons are aged 65 and over in The United States of America.
Signs To Look For When An Elderly Adult Is Abusing Alcohol
These signs include many of the same signs that an alcohol addiction looks like at varying ages. If you or a loved one begin to make excuses for your alcohol use, that is a sign that an addiction can be beginning. More than four or five drinks per day is generally thought to be a sign of alcohol addiction, as well. Experiencing alcohol-induced blackouts is a tell-tale sign that alcohol addiction is present. Consulting with a professional if you feel that yourself or a loved one is in trouble is a great idea. They’ll be able to let you know if you are in danger of developing alcohol addiction.
Why Do The Elderly Begin Abusing Alcohol?
Many elderly people are managing their lives at home by themselves. Unfortunately, this is a reason that many elderly people begin abusing alcohol. They are alone and they do not have someone to check their alcohol use or the reasons why they are using alcohol. Without this casual type of supervision, the elderly can slip into abuse without fully realizing they have a problem. The elderly experience a lot of loneliness because they may have ended their professional career or they may have lost a spouse or partner. These are the consequences of living longer. Sometimes these natural life events can lead to depression and many people turn to alcohol use to cope.
Mental Illness and Alcohol Abuse in the Elderly
Elderly alcohol abuse is also prevalent because human bodies deteriorate over time. Increased sensitivity to alcohol is a natural occurrence because muscle mass in the elderly is diminished. As a result, a smaller amount of alcohol can produce a higher blood alcohol content due to the diminished musculature of the individual. Moreover, if an individual has been abusing alcohol throughout their life, by the time they reach an elderly status their bodies have been weakened with the excessive use.
Mental Health Treatment at Viewpoint Dual Recovery Center Of Arizona
Viewpoint Dual Recovery Center of Arizona is a duly-accredited and certified rehabilitation treatment center that has been in existence for over 10 years. There are various programs to help people who suffer from substance abuse as well as alcohol abuse. The staff includes both Masters-level professionals as well as psychiatrists and other doctoral level experts. In addition to being able to assist with elderly alcohol abuse, there are several individualized programs at Viewpoint Dual Recovery Center of Arizona. Some of the programming includes:
- Mental Health Treatment Program
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program
- Anxiety Treatment Program
- Depression Treatment Program
- Bipolar Treatment Program
- PTSD Treatment Program
- Schizophrenia Treatment Program
Give us a call today at 855.746.3633 to learn more about elderly alcohol abuse as well as how we can help you or your loved one with your alcohol addiction or substance abuse problem.
