Nurse-managed aftercare programs have been shown to decrease the risk of relapse after active treatment. Family members and caregivers as well as patients are often unaware of the adverse effects of heavy drinking. In addition, loved ones may not wish to interfere with drinking if it seems to please the elderly person. Possible interactions between alcohol and prescription drugs should be discussed. Other Substance Abuse and Dependence Use of illegal drugs is uncommon among elderly people, although this may change as the baby boom generation ages.
Alcoholics are particularly at risk of misuse of other psychoactive drugs.
Benzodiazepines and opiates are the categories of drugs most likely to cause trouble in the elderly. Whereas alcohol use and abuse are more common among men, benzodiazepine use is more common among women. Surveys suggest that most people for whom these drugs are prescribed usually take them either as directed or less than as directed. Even when benzodiazepines are taken as directed, tolerance, dependence, adverse effects, and toxicity may develop. Long-acting benzodiazepines have been shown to markedly increase the risk of falls and hip fracture.