How Do Older Adults with Very-Late-Onset Alcohol Use Disorder Define Alcohol Problems? Results from an Interpretative Phenomenological Study

ABSTRACT

Adopting a phenomenological hermeneutical approach, this qualitative study focuses on an understudied group of older adults experiencing very-late-onset alcohol use disorder. This group constitutes 11% to 16% of all older adults with alcohol problems. To illuminate the experiences of the older adults the authors interviewed 12 older adults age 60 to 76 years (7 men). The participants were interviewed for 45 to 60 minutes using a semistructured format. The analysis was done in accordance with the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis which allows for description and interpretation. Generally, findings are in accordance with existing literature. The authors found that older adults tend to define their alcohol problems in a unique way, which has implications for treatment and prevention efforts. The authors identified a tendency for the participants to define alcohol problems in relation to work or inability to take care of family. Further the findings suggest that older adults might try to avoid stigmatization. Hence, older adults with onset of alcohol use disorder after age 60 years may evaluate their alcohol use with respect to a “private” self-regulation standard thereby resisting labelling themselves as “alcoholics.” This might keep them from initiating treatment or may delay treatment seeking.

KEYWORDS:

• alcohol use disorders
• self-regulation
• stigmatization
• labels
• treatment seeking

Funding

The authors extend thanks to the Lundbeck Foundation, the University of Southern Denmark, and the Region of Southern Denmark who have provided unconditional funding for this project.

Notes

1. […] denotes an exertion of material from the quote—verbal noise, repetitions, or interviewer interference.

Additional information

Funding

The authors extend thanks to the Lundbeck Foundation, the University of Southern Denmark, and the Region of Southern Denmark who have provided unconditional funding for this project.