ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS IN GERIATRICS

Alcohol use disorders cause significant morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population This review article begins with a hypothetical case for illustration, asking what the primary care physician could do for a geriatric patient with alcohol abuse over a course of four office visits Various aspects of alcohol use disorders in the geriatric population are reviewed such as range of alcohol use, epidemiology medical/psychiatric impact, detection, comprehensive treatment planning, modalities of psychotherapy, medication management, and resources for clinicians/patients (Int l J Psychiatry in Medicine 2010 40 321 337)