Comparison of older and younger alcoholics and prescription drug abusers: History and clinical presentation

This study compared 26 elderly patients with 33 younger patients with a diagnosis of a substance use disorder. Subjects were compared on demographic, medical, psychiatric, and social factors. Alcohol was the most commonly used drug for both groups and poly-drug addicts were the norm for both groups. Significant social and psychiatric pathology were also common in both groups. Elderly addicts were more likely to abuse benzodiazepines, be married, have ADL dysfunctions and neurologic and cognitive signs and symptoms, and to have psychotic symptoms. They were also more likely to threaten violence, lie about their drug use, and to be non-compliant with medical care. Younger addicts were more likely to have job, housing, and legal problems, use "street" drugs, and to have their addiction as their chief complaint.