He agrees to seek help. The problem can also go undetected, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, if physicians rely on the standard CAGE Questionnaire, which has proven to be ineffective with elderly abusers. The AMA and other groups are encouraging doctors to take a closer look at their older patients to identify substance abuse problems, because treatment for these patients can be highly successful. If the problem is properly diagnosed, the AMA says, help is available. It has been discovered that alcohol problems can be successfully treated, even in the later years.
Elderly alcoholics tend to respond well to treatment, and stay in programs.
On the advice of a Senior Citizen counselor, he attends his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. He hears an old-timer share his story and identifies with it. After the meeting, he goes up and talks with the old-timer who becomes his sponsor. He gets involved with service work, helping others and never takes another drink. Facts for Women Women are at especially high risk for the health and social problems caused by alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.