AWARENESS:

• 2002 National survey reported that 6.3 million adults age 55 and older engaged in binge drinking (5 or more drinks in one day), in the last 30 days.
• The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse considers, for older adults, one drink per day to be the maximum amount for "moderate" alcohol use.
• Depression is probably the number one undetected medical problem for almost 15% of older adults. Alcohol just makes depression worse.
• Some reports indicate up to 50% of hospital admissions for older adults are related to alcohol, drug, and/or medication mismanagement.
  

IDENTIFICATION: Some possible indications where a person might have a problem...

• Have you ever felt you should cutdown on your drinking, use of drugs, medications, etc??
• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking, use of drugs, medications, etc??
• Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking, use of drugs, medications, etc??
• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover??
• DO YOU, drink, use drugs or abuse medications to calm your nerves, forget your worries, or reduce depression??
• DO YOU,  lose interest in food?
• DO YOU, gulp your drinks down fast?
• DO YOU, lie or try to hide your drinking, use of drugs, medications, etc??
• DO YOU,  hurt yourself or someone else while drinking, using of drugs, medications, etc??
• DO YOU, need more alcohol to get high?
• DO YOU, take more medication than prescribed?
• DO YOU, have medical, social, family, or financial problems caused by drinking, use of drugs, medications, etc?

The bottom line is: Is alcohol and/ or other substances helping or hurting the quality of your life??

RESOURCES:

       Liberation Programs Inc.                         Liberation Programs Inc.                                               Infoline                        Connecticut Clearing House
          Older Adults Recovery Services,             Older Adults Recovery Services,                                  Call: 211                         Call:  800-232-4424
          780 Summer St (Dubois Center),            399 Mill Hill Ave
          Stamford CT 06901                               Bridgeport, CT 06610
          203-388-1565                                        203-284-9301 x 406
           Adults, age 55+ services are free            Adults, age 55+ services are free

       Alcoholics Anonymous                   Al-Anon                                                      State of CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services
          Call: 800-252-6465                                 Call: 888-825-2666                                                                      Call: 800-446-7348


          National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc                                                         National Institute on Aging
                            Call: 800-622-4225                                                                                                        Call: 800-222-2225

                                                                                              SAMHSA- National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
                                                                                                                   Call: 800-662-4357