Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol or Medication Dependence (Hazelden Guidebooks) [Paperback]

Carol Colleran (Author), Debra Jay (Author)

Book Description

Series: Hazelden Guidebooks | Publication Date: March 7, 2002

Addiction among older adults is a hidden and hushed problem. Signs and symptoms of alcohol or medication abuse can easily be mistaken for conditions related to aging. And even when friends or family members recognize signs of addiction, they often discount the need for intervention or treatment.

With an estimated three million older Americans struggling with alcohol and drug misuse and abuse, Aging and Addiction is a much-needed resource. The authors, both experts in the field of addiction treatment and intervention, provide a respectful, definitive guide for recognizing and addressing substance abuse among older adults. Key topics include: understanding the relationship between aging and addiction, finding help for a loved one, and recognizing the treatment needs of older adults.

Key features and benefits

• authors are widely recognized experts in the field of addiction
• addresses one of the nation's most underestimated, under treated health problems
• provides how-to-help information for family members and friends

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carol Colleran is a renowned international Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, specializing in the treatment of addictive disorders in the older adult. She is the distinguished pioneer of specialized treatment for this population and is the Director of Public Policy & National Affairs at the Hanley Center at St. Mary's in West Palm Beach, Florida.In demand across the country as a speaker, educator and authority on older adults in addiction, Carol has appeared on the NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and the Today Show. She has given numerous interviews on local television and radio talk shows.As an active participant in policy development and groundbreaking for several national organizations, Carol continues her commitment to raising professional and public awareness of the special needs of older adults. As a member of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force of the National Council on Aging, she helped develop the 1999 "Engaging the Aging Services Network in Meeting Substance Abuse and Mental Health Needs of Older People." In 1988, Carol participated in a comprehensive study, "Under the Rug: Substance Abuse and the Mature Woman," for the Center of Alcohol and Substance Abuse at Columbia University in New York, where she was a member of the advisory board.Carol is an active member of the Millennium Assembly Task Force, a part of the U.N. Millennium General Assembly. In 2000, she presented her famous address, "Breaking the Silence: Substance Abuse in the Older Adult," during the National Council on Aging's 50th Annual Conference & Expo.The author of two books and numerous articles, Carol has also produced videos in cooperation with The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and participated in the award winning PBS video series, "The Doctor Is In," produced by the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.Carol is also active in the American Society of Aging and the Southern Gerontological Society and has worked with the American Bar Association. She began her career as a chemical dependency counselor with the Hazelden Foundation in Minnesota in 1988 and in 1991 earned both her national and international certifications: C.P.A. and I.C.A.D.C.Carol's presentations and her famous keynote address, "Breaking the Silence," can be customized for workshops, seminars or conferences.

Debra Jay is the co-author of two Hazelden Guidebooks: Love First: A New Approach to Intervention and Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol or Medication Dependence. She is in private practice as an interventionist specializing in chemically dependent older adults. She provides intervention training and consultation to families throughout the United States and Canada. Ms. Jay has been writing a regular newspaper column on alcohol and drugs in society since 1996. She resides in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden (March 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156838792X
• ISBN-13: 978-1568387925
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, October 7, 2002

By 

Tina "Tina" (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Locked Up for Eating Too Much: The Diary of a Food Addict in Rehab (Paperback)

I purchased this book because this is a subject that is very close to me. The premise of the book (a food addict attends a clinic to help her understand her food addiction) was of great interest to me.

The use of food addict was also something that drew me to this book, as I have believed for a long time that there is such a thing.

This book does not disappoint. The author is very honest in her detailing of her experiences. From the beginning when she felt that this clinic stay was of no use to her, we can feel the pain she was in. The story simply gets more fascinating (and candid) as the author reveals herself more and more. In the end, you are cheering her on.

I have found this book to be extremely helpful in looking at the whole body image, wellness issue in a totally different view. If you are hoping for a quick fix, this would not be the book for you.

But if you believe that you can achieve wellness by better understanding your body and mind, this is the book for you.
Excellent purchase!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest, well-written book, October 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Locked Up for Eating Too Much: The Diary of a Food Addict in Rehab (Paperback)

I thought this book showed the seriousness of the disease of food addiction. I appreciate Debbie's honesty and willingness to share with us all just how cunning, baffling and powerful food addiction is. Food addiction is real! I appreciate those who are willing to share the pain and misery and most important the recovery aspect of food addiction.

A very unique book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful book, June 15, 2009

By 

Rita Rittenhouse "Rita" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol or Medication Dependence (Hazelden Guidebooks) (Paperback)

I am so glad that there is a book that covers such a sad situation with great insights.