Fighting Elderly Alcoholism
Reported May 20, 2010
QUEENS, N.Y. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — They’re embarrassed, ashamed and many don’t feel comfortable asking for help. Experts say more seniors are turning to the bottle to relieve feelings of loneliness and frustration.
As many as 17 percent of people over the age of 65 have an alcohol problem. In many cases, no one ever acknowledges it. One program is trying to bring a dark problem to light.
80 year-old Elise Harbin lives, shops, and eats alone. No one was around to notice she’s an alcoholic.
“It had almost made me die without realizing that I had a problem,” Harbin told Ivanhoe.
Elise has company. More than three million people over age 60 abuse alcohol. These seniors find help.
“I was like you. I could drink a half gallon of Vodka, easy,” Harbin explained.
And hope in a support group designed specifically for them.
“We have so much in common from the old days, Maureen Coglin told Ivanhoe.
“It’s Never Too Late” is one of the few programs in the country where members have to meet an age minimum.
“You’re going to be in a group with other people who have gray hair, Richard Koffler, LCSW-R, CASAC at Queens Hospital Center said.
Some have blue hair. Some people have no hair, you know. You are going to fit right in.”
Members say it’s easier to talk, listen and relate when they’re surrounded by their peers.
“You’re not necessarily stuck in a room with you know, in my case, teenagers who I might be talking about the disco days, and they’re going to have no clue what I’m talking about,” Kathy Kohl told Ivanhoe.
One-third of older addicts pick up the dangerous habit later in life, and one study found nearly two-thirds are misdiagnosed. That’s because many of the signs of drinking mirror signs of aging — aches and pains, insomnia, depression, frequent falls and memory loss.
“All of a sudden, I noticed that you know I was tipsy all the time, Coglin said.
The program didn’t just help 70 year-old Coglin get sober.
“Thank God. They saved my life,” Coglin said.
Learning that starting over can happen at any age.
While more men than women are affected by alcoholism, women are more likely to start heavy drinking later in life.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Odalys Montpeirous, Marketing and Advertising
Queens Hospital Center
(718) 883-4854