Tag Archives: drink problems

We need to address drinking problems in older age

August 7, 2012   Carers, dementia, Depression, mental health

Older people struggle with alcohol problems but despite the growing demographic, there is a big gap in services catering for them

 

Old age psychiatry services in the UK are only able to take on people with dual diagnosis problems, those who have both substance misuse and an accompanying mental disorder.

There is a large gap in service provision for older people with alcohol problems. Old age psychiatry services in the UK are still only able to take on older people with dual diagnosis problems; those who have both substance misuse and an accompanying mental disorder such as depression, dementia or a psychotic disorder.

In theory there is no age limit for substance misuse services, but such services are often ill-equipped to manage the particular problems faced by older people. For example, they are also not generally able to deliver a home-based service, which is very often what is needed to serve the vast majority over 65s with an alcohol problem.

The last few years have seen new developments in alcohol services in the NHS and the voluntary sector. The voluntary sector has developed considerably, with service providers emerging in areas with high rates of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality.

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