Treatment approaches for older problem drinkers.
Recent research suggests that older adults with alcohol problems often drink in response to loneliness, depression, and poor social support networks. Although a variety of approaches such as psychodynamic, Twelve Step, social support, behavioral, and cognitive-behavioral, have been suggested, only those studies involving behavioral and cognitive-behavioral interventions have provided empirical support for treatment effectiveness. Some research also suggests that age-specific group treatment produces better outcomes than when older adults are placed in treatment with younger alcoholics.
Schonfeld
L
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Department of Aging and Mental Health, University of South Florida, Tampa 33612-3899, USA.
Dupree
L W
LW
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support