DRINKING CAREERS OF OLDER MALE ALCOHOLICS IN TREATMENT AS COMPARED TOYOUNGER ALCOHOLICS AND TO OLDER SOCIAL DRINKERS

Objective: In order to answer the question whether older alcoholics fo rm a distinct group among problem drinkers and within their age cohort , drinking histories of male, older (over 50 years of age) alcoholics in treatment (n = 52) are compared to those of younger alcoholics (n = 55), and to those of older social drinkers (n = 46). Within the older alcoholics category, comparisons are made by age of onset. Changes in consumption volume and onset and remission of heavy drinking, morning drinking and solitary drinking are related to events in other spheres of life. Method: In face-to-face interviews, respondents were asked t o report drinking behavior in subsequent drinking phases, from the beg inning of regular drinking to the present. Events that marked a transi tion to a new drinking phase, as well as the impact that these events had on the general well-being of the respondents, were assessed using a semistructured interview format. Results: Compared to younger alcoho lics, older alcoholics were older when they started drinking regularly , and they report later age at onset of heavy drinking. Older alcoholi cs and social drinkers were similar with respect to the first years of their drinking career. Older alcoholics with onset of heavy drinking before the age of 35 were similar to younger alcoholics, while older a lcoholics with later onset of heavy drinking resembled social drinkers with respect to their earlier drinking history. Alcoholics With later onset more often reported onset in connection with events such as mar ital disruption. Conclusion: Among older alcoholics, a distinct group can be distinguished that may benefit from specific prevention and tre atment measures.