Try: Addiction is increasing common in older care recipients cr the signs of alcohol abuse and medication dependence can be different in the elderly than in younger people older crs often drink at home alone so no one notices the severity of the problem many older adults are retired so they don’t have work related problems due to their chemical dependency the following signs and symptoms are typical of older crs with an alcohol or other drug problem prefers attending events where drinking is accepted such as luncheons happy hours and parties drinks in solitary hidden from others is drinking more than before is drinking the same or less yet still experiencing problems makes a ritual of having drinks before with or after dinner becomes annoyed when this ritual is disturbed has lost interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure drinks in spite of warning labels on prescription drugs suffers from alcohol-related health problems has bottles of tranquilizers on hand and takes them at the slightest sign of disturbance is often intoxicated or slightly tipsy and sometimes has slurred speech secretly disposes of large volumes of empty beer and liquor bottles suffers from tremors and shakes makes excuses to keep liquor in the house guests special occasions etc drinks despite health problems frequently expresses a wish to die often has the smell of liquor on his or her breath or uses mouthwash to disguise it is neglecting personal appearance and gaining or losing weight complains of constant sleeplessness loss of appetite or chronic health problems that seem to have no physical cause has unexplained burns or bruises and tries to hide them seems more hostile or resentful than usual neglects home bills pets can’t handle routine chores and paperwork without making mistakes has irrational or undefined fears and delusions or seems under unusual stress seems to be losing his or her memory falls asleep during conversations appears to be depressed calls at odd hours has problems with urinary incontinence suffers from heart arrhythmia is less involved in activities during evening hours information references www agingandaddiction net
Materials: n/a
Categories: Medical Physical
Information: n/a
References: n/a
Keywords: Addiction warning signs
*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed