Success in treating addiction in older people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have success in getting treatment for alcoholism in older people? My 75 year old dad has been a functioning alcoholic for years (though I only recently learned of it - if he was abusing alcohol when we were kids we didn’t know it). He now has several complicated medical issues all of which seem like they could be caused by the alcoholism (or certainly are made worse). He’s seeing specialist after specialist but he and my stepmom are not being honest with the doctors about the fact that he’s drinking 1.5-2 liters of wine most days. At least he’s not driving. My stepmom is 100% enabling this and buying the wine (“if I don’t buy it, he’ll drive and get it” or says he’s even more withdrawn and depressed if he’s not drinking.) He is absolutely unwilling to address the drinking or depression. I guess we just sit by and watch him drink himself to death? Any success stories out there of older people who have turned it around?

You cannot effectively treat ANYONE of ANY AGE who does not want treatment.When you have a younger addict of any type they always tell you to detach with love. They have to want to get help and you just have to make sure you don't enable. So, let your dad know it concerns you and refuse to speak with him or visit when he is drinking. If he starts drinking while you are there leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See if you can get a doctor to prescribe him Wellbutrin or another mild anti anxiety med. the drinking is likely self medication.

You can't mix wellbutrin and alcohol so if he still keeps drinking and it doesn't help him stop you create a bigger problem.

[Anonymous]

Would he try naltrexone? it kills/lessens desire to drink. When i took it to get things under control, I was empowered by the feeling of suddenly not needing a drink. If i did pour one, it tasted bad and I didnt finish it. I dont take it all the time now, just as needed if I fall off the wagon. You are not harmed if you drink on it, just generally lose the desire.