Seniors

Seniors do well in treatment for drug or alcohol problems, provided the service providers understand the special needs of seniors. "Patient, gentle, respectful" are traits that counselors must have especially with seniors. Older persons may have had recent losses, may be in chronic pain, and may be overwhelmed by a host of problems that are associated with being elderly. It is most unfortunate that even physicians fail to understand the special issues of the elderly. I just read about a study that as their patients age, physicians tend to spend less time with them. Physicians also tend to not even probe for drug or alcohol problems in the elderly, assuming that problems with balance, memory, blood pressure, sleeping, etc. are due to ageing rather than to medications and/or alcohol use.