title: [Outpatient long-term treatment of addiction in higher age].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Given the demographic changes implicating an increase in medical problems in higher age (> 60 years), there is a lack of epidemiological data and studies examining the effectiveness of specific long-term treatment of addiction in old age.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the effects of an outpatient long-term treatment in n=40 patients above age 60 with a case-control study. Final endpoints were abstinence or relapse, changes in psychological testing and cognitive functions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 12 months, we saw an abstinence rate of 67.5% for the patients over 60 years and 59.8% in the control-group (p=0.33). The highest associations with abstinence were found for the number of therapy sessions and continuous participation in a self-help-group in the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the limitations of this study, we can show a high effectiveness of outpatient long-term treatment of older dependent people.
authors: Ianua Gesellschaft für Prävention und Sozialtherapie, Saarlouis. davidsteff en@ianua-gps.de
authors: D V
authors: DV
authors: Steffen
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Werle
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Steffen
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Steffen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome