The following is an excerpt from the book Love First: A New Approach to Intervention for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction:

"If the person you are intervening on is an older adult, age fifty-five or older, you need additional information before proceeding with an intervention. Symptoms of alcohol dependence can mirror symptoms of diseases and conditions that may occur as we grow older. These symptoms include shakiness, frequent falls, excessive napping, depression, reduced interest in food, isolation, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, bruising, incontinence, and poor hygiene. Alcohol dependence is sometimes misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's, stroke or Parkinson's Disease."

Family and friends must recognize that the consequences of an alcohol or other drug problem are different for the older adult. Since many older adults are retired, drive less, live away from family and friends, are financially independent, and drink alone at home, they don't experience the same kinds of consequences as a younger person. When you write your letter to the older adult, you must shift your thinking when you are looking for examples of negative consequences. A younger person may have a drunk driving arrest, threat of job loss, financial problems, or divorce. These consequences are less likely to occur in the older adult's life.

Intervening on an older adult requires special understanding of the thinking and the needs of this age group, and a specific language, as described in the book Aging and Addiction. A love first approach is especially important when intervening on an elder person. Confrontation only increases a sense of shame which can lead to defensiveness and resistance. Love and understanding are more effective at opening the door between you and your older loved one.

Older adults often need greater support in treatment due to a more complex detoxification from alcohol or prescription drugs, multiple medical problems that can block treatment, memory loss, reduced mobility including difficulty driving, and slower overall progress in recovery For this reason, inpatient treatment in a center specializing in older alcoholics is often best. Hanley Center in West Palm Beach, Florida offers an excellent residential program for people 55 years and older.

Alcoholics over 55 years old often take longer to recover, but their success in long term recovery is higher than any other age group. If you are not sure if your older parent or grandparent is suffering from an addiction to alcohol or mood-altering prescription drugs, answer the questions on the quiz: Signs of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in Older Adults.

About.com offers a compendium of articles on the Elderly and Alcohol. Here are some excerpts:

"When health professionals encounter patients who are having cognitive difficulties, such as impaired memory or reasoning ability, alcohol use may be the cause...."

"Elderly alcoholics are a "hidden'' group that too many doctors overlook, says the American Medical Association...."

"Women are more likely than men to start drinking heavily later in life whereas male drinking behavior is typically defined earlier in life...." Read more.