Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Older Adults

Practical, evidence-based guidance on diagnosis and treatment of unhealthy alcohol use among older adults. A compact and authoritative book for professionals in their daily practice.

As our population ages, practitioners find themselves working with older adults more frequently. Alcohol use problems among older adults are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, and there are few treatments designed specifically for this client group. This practical guide provides practitioners with up-to-date information on assessing and treating unhealthy alcohol use among older adults. With a focus on evidence-based treatments, it is highly relevant to practitioners working across a variety of settings. Through the authors expertise, we learn about the prevalence of alcohol use among older adults, the models for understanding unhealthy use, and the different screening and assessment options as well as the treatment possibilities relevant to health care and social service providers. Assessment and treatment options highlight the need to consider lifespan development when providing care as well as the relevance of common life transitions and generational differences. Clinical pearls and vignettes illuminate treatment approaches and further sections discuss pharmacological interventions and cultural considerations. Printable tools are available in an appendix. This book is a must for practitioners from diverse settings who work with older adults. The materials for this book can be downloaded from the Hogrefe website after registration.