title: Early versus late onset of alcoholism in the elderly.
abstract: The age of onset of alcohol-related problems is a typology that is gaining prominence among clinicians. Findings from epidemiological studies suggest that there are a significant number of older alcoholics who first begin to drink alcohol "abusively" in their later years. While few demographic differences appear between late onset and early onset alcoholics, a number of studies have reported clinical differences between these groups that may affect the natural course and treatment outcome of the illness.
authors: Psychiatry Service, Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Maryland 21201, USA.
authors: J G
authors: JG
authors: Liberto
authors: D W
authors: DW
authors: Oslin
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States