Washington -- Abuse of alcohol and legal drugs-prescribed and over-the-counter-is a serious health problem among older Americans. This "invisible epidemic" affects up to 17 percent of adults age 60 or older, a rapid-growth segment of America's population.

"Substance Abuse Among Older Adults", a report produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), was released today to alert health care providers that substance abuse in the older population is a serious problem. This new SAMHSA publication, one of a series of Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs), is designed to assist the health care community to better detect and treat alcohol and medication abuse among older patients.

According to the report, it is more difficult for health care providers to diagnose alcoholism in older patients because a third of those with problems had not abused alcohol in their earlier years, nor did they have health problems, trouble with the law, or difficulties with family relationships associated with problem drinking. These older problem drinkers typically begin abusing alcohol and medications following the death of a spouse, a divorce, retirement, or some other major life change.

Citing recent studies, the report stated that 15 percent of male alcoholics report that their first symptoms of alcoholism occurred between ages 60 and 69; and 14 percent report that their first symptoms occurred between the ages of 70 and 79. For women the percentages are even higher, with 24 percent reporting their first signs of alcoholism between ages 60 and 69; and 28 percent reporting their first signs occurred between ages 70 and 79.

The report also states that "Prescription drug misuse and abuse is prevalent among older adults, not only because more drugs are prescribed to them, but also because, as with alcohol, aging makes the body more vulnerable to drugs' effects." The report further states: "Any use of drugs in combination with alcohol carries risk; abuse of these substances raises that risk; and multiple drug abuse raises it even further."

"As sharp growth in the elderly population is anticipated with the aging of the baby boomer generation," said SAMHSA Administrator Nelba Chavez, Ph.D., "we must begin now to educate health care providers on the need to carefully screen their older patients for signs of alcohol abuse and medication misuse and abuse."

"As we age, there are physical changes in the body that lead to a lower tolerance for alcohol," CSAT Acting Director Camille Barry, Ph.D., R.N. explained. "Often relatives of older individuals try not to notice if they see signs of inebriation. However, that cocktail or two may be taking away a loved one's independence and health."

The report looks at adults age 60 and older. The effects of aging on the body vary from person to person. Many individuals may not be affected at age 60, but others will be impacted earlier, the report said. "The age at which such changes occur varies from person to person, but invariably they do occur. Because many of the definitions, models, and classifications of alcohol consumption levels are static and do not account for age-related physiological and social changes, they simply do not apply to older adults," the report said, explaining why older adults cannot continue to drink the equivalent amount of alcohol consumed safely in earlier years.

"We encourage older people, families, and service providers to understand the effect that alcohol and drug abuse can have on older people and how open discussion of this issue can benefit everyone," said James Firman, President and CEO of The National Council on the Aging. "This report offers great hope for older people who need to seek treatment of substance abuse: It is never too late to change."

"The problems inherent in untreated alcohol abuse among older Americans is a concern for AARP because of the health problems and potential loss of independence that often accompany alcohol abuse," said C. Anne Harvey, Director of Program Services for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Substance Abuse Among Older Adults (TIP 26) adds another volume to CSAT's Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) series. The series is a compendium of best practice guides produced for health care and substance abuse treatment providers. TIPs are produced by non-federal consensus panels composed of clinical, educational, research and administrative experts. These volumes are key information tools and are used to improve treatment services available to people in need through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and other programs.

The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) is part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead Federal agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the U.S.

TIPs are available on the CSAT web page at www.samhsa.gov or they can be ordered by contacting the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) at 1-800-729-6686; TDD (for hearing impaired), 1-800-487-4889.