HHS HealthBeat (March 30, 2006)

Grandpa drinks.

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

It's something nobody wants to mention. Since Grandpa retired, he's been drinking.

HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, says 80 percent of retirees in treatment for substance abuse had problems with alcohol.

SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie says life-changing events – including retirement – can raise the risk.

Curie says older adults need to know that asking for help doesn't have an expiration date. And he says families also need to get involved – not just with alcohol, but drugs in general. Alcohol and some medications create adverse reactions.

"Family members can help to prevent substance use or abuse by checking out medications being taken by an older family member, to help assure that they're being taken correctly. They should notice drinking patterns or ask about them. It's not about being nosy. It's about love." (12 seconds)

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: August, 15 2006