title: Substance abuse among the elderly.
abstract: Substance abuse in the elderly is often missed by primary care providers. The signs, symptoms, and behaviors of older individuals with alcohol and other drug problems are frequently different from those noted in younger populations. This article reviews the prevalence of substance abuse among the elderly, characteristics of the elderly abuser, physiological effects and clinical manifestations, and primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention with the elderly abuser.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: McMahon
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control