AGING AMERICANS MEAN MORE OLDER ADULTS FACING ADDICTIONS

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug 17, 1999 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- In the United States there are as many as 3 million Americans over age 60 that are alcoholics or have some kind of drinking problem, according to the American Medical Association. As the U.S. population ages, the number of addicted older adults is sure to climb.

      "Experts are predicting a big surge in the number of older alcoholic patients by the year 2000 as the baby boom generation ages," says Carol Egan, director of the Older Adult Program at Hanley-Hazelden Center. "If the alcoholism rate remains constant, there will be 50 percent more older alcoholic patients at the turn of the century than at the end of the 1970s."

      According to a national poll conducted by the Hazelden Foundation, sixout of 10 (64 percent) Americans are concerned about older adults they knowwho have abused alcohol or other drugs. Almost half (48 percent) believe alcohol or drug use is increasing among older adults.

      "This is a time in their lives when they may have become widowed, their children live away from home, and they have retired and thus no longer havea network of work friends," Egan continues. "Like many others who abusealcohol or drugs, seniors may turn to the bottle or medicine cabinet to numb themselves so they don't feel the pain. But substance abuse only offers a temporary escape, and in the end it makes the pain worse."

      In 1990, Hanley-Hazelden Center-located in West Palm Beach, an area that has twice the national average of an older population-began documenting the need for increased services for older adults. Two years later, Hanley-Hazelden implemented the Older Adult Program, a treatment program specifically designed to meet the needs of the people over the age of 55. Hazelden is one of the nation's few treatment centers offering a specialized unit for older adults struggling with chemical dependency.

      The signs of alcoholism and drug abuse are different in older adults than in young people. Since older adults are often retired, they don't have work performance problems that often reveal substance abuse problems in younger people, or if they live alone, no one may notice when they pass out in front of the TV. Warning signs for older adults include:

      -- Makes a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner, and becomes annoyed when this ritual is disturbed.

      -- Loses interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure.

      -- Is neglecting personal appearance and gaining or losing weight.

      -- Seems more depressed or hostile than usual.

      Help is available "Even though many people believe it is difficult for older people to change bad habits, the fact is older adults have the highest rate of treatment success of any age group," says Egan. Hazelden is offering a free brochure, "How to Talk to an Older Person Who Has a Problem With Alcohol or Medications." It is available by calling 800-I-DO-CARE, or it can also be found on Hazelden's Web site ( http://www.hazelden.org ).

      The brochure outlines signs of substance abuse in older people and steps for help. It also offers some "opening lines" to start the conversation, possible reactions and what to say in response, and next steps to take based on the outcome of the conversation. Guidelines in preparing what to say include:

      -- Be direct. Treat the person as an adult. -- Be specific. Present the facts in a straightforward manner.

      -- Talk about the effect of the alcohol or drug use on is having whatever the older person cares about most, such as a relationship with grandchildren.

      -- Don't worry if you don't say things perfectly. The most important thing is that you express your concern with love, gentleness and respect.

      The Hazelden Foundation has been helping people recover from the disease of alcohol and drug dependency and related treatable illness since 1949.