While the elderly within America are growing in number, so is their problem of alcoholism.

Medical literature has been cited to say that 10 to 15 percent of persons 65 years of age and older have a drinking problem.

“We tend to think that alcoholism is a young to middle age problem,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center. “That’s simply not the case. In fact, it could be said that the elderly population present greater risk factors than their younger counterparts. For example, when one becomes older, he /she can become isolated due to the death within his/her circle of friends. In addition, after retiring, an individual can become depressed, leading to more isolation. It’s important to look out for the warning signs of alcoholism among the elderly population and to help them remain actively engaged in life. We have to remember that alcoholism is not just a problem plaguing the youth of America – it’s a problem plaguing America as a whole.”

The dangers of alcohol consumption in the elderly can be far greater than any other age group. Medications that are commonly prescribed for the elderly often cause adverse reactions when combined with alcohol. In addition, alcohol can depresses the immune system, exacerbating the effects of otherwise treatable, common illnesses.

If you have an elderly or aged parent or relative who you suspect may have a problem with alcohol, Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center can provide specialized intervention services that will assist you in approaching your loved one in a concerned, loving manner that will help them begin their journey to recovery.

For the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get, and to remain, sober.

The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specialization and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions. As a result of their unique, innovative approaches to addiction treatment over the past 13 years, Mountainside has become the model for the addiction treatment field.

The program, along with its professional addiction treatment team, have earned national recognition and resulted in Mountainside being invited to Washington by the White House to meet with the White House Drug Czar, John P. Walters, for an in-depth meeting on what makes its program so successful. These accolades did not go unnoticed within the addiction treatment field and resulted in the adoption by many throughout the country of a more holistic approach to drug addiction treatment.

Via EPR Network
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