Alcohol and drug abuse in old age: a clinical perspective.

The literature on elderly alcohol and drug use and abuse is reviewed. Factors in old age which influence usage patterns, risks, clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment are emphasized. Several themes for clinical research are defined. While substance abuse is less prevalent in the elderly than in younger cohorts, it is common enough to constitute a significant public health problem, may increase in the future, is often overlooked by clinicians, and may be successfully managed if treatment is tailored to the special requirements of this age group.