title: Alcoholism after sixty.
abstract: The elderly demonstrate unique characteristics and behavior in the development of alcohol abuse. A significant number of persons begin drinking heavily after age 60. The excessive drinking is thought to be a coping mechanism and may reflect a concept called "learned helplessness." Treatment of the elderly alcoholic can be beneficial after the problem of alcohol abuse is recognized.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors