Loneliness can cause some elders to turn to alcohol
Posted Oct 26 2011 12:00am
Many an elder who only drank socially, or with a spouse, finds that a nice glass of wine at the end of the day helps ease loneliness. The once concrete rule that only alcoholics drink alone is rationalized away. When aren't they alone? The death of a long-time spouse leaves a huge hole in an elder's life. Could your elder be filling that hole with alcohol? If so, how much? What can you do to help?
Many an elder who only drank socially, or with a spouse, finds that a nice glass of wine at the end of the day helps ease loneliness. The once concrete rule that only alcoholics drink alone is rationalized away. When aren't they alone? The death of a long-time spouse leaves a huge hole in an elder's life. Could your elder be filling that hole with alcohol? If so, how much? What can you do to help?
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