Drinking may be an older person's last remaining pleasure. It's okay because the doctor prescribed it. Alcoholism is a moral weakness. Alcohol is good for altering an older person's mood. Older folks are too frail to deal with a recovery program.
Addiction is definitely treatable in older adults.
The reality is that without treatment and intervention, addictions will become worse. Ultimately, one fall, a spike in blood pressure leading to a stroke or one more intoxication can result in nursing home placement, the very thing that the patients and all of the people in their lives are trying to avoid, the loss of independence. A final barrier to recovery is family attitude. The other scenario is a family member tries to control the person's use by doing shopping and overseeing social activities. There is a need for family education.