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Unrecognized Drug Dependence in Psychiatrically Hospitalized Elderly Patients
Author(s) -
Whitcup Scott M.,
Miller Frank
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1987.tb04634.x
Subject(s) - medicine , medical record , intensive care unit , benzodiazepine , drug , psychiatry , pediatrics , emergency medicine , receptor
The psychiatric in‐patient records of 90 patients ≥65 years of age were reviewed retrospectively to determine the prevalence of chemical dependence and if lack of recognition and treatment of chemical dependence resulted in serious complications. Nineteen of the 90 patients were characterized as drug dependent and ten of these patients were neither recognized nor detoxified. Seven of the ten nondetoxified patients, but only one of the nine detoxified patients, experienced serious medical complications typically requiring transfer to a medical floor or medical intensive care unit. Unrecognized chemically‐dependent patients were significantly more likely to he female benzodiazepine abusers, while recognized chemically dependent patients were significantly more likely to be male alcohol abusers.