What to Ask: Drug and Substance Abuse

The abuse and misuse of alcohol or drugs was once considered a problem only among the young. Unfortunately, substance abuse has become a growing problem among older adults as well. Community surveys suggest that misuse of alcohol or other drugs is a common cause of physical and mental health problems in older Americans, especially older men. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the mental and physical effects of these substances, because of the changes that happen in our minds and bodies as we age.

Click on each of the topics below to display questions you can ask the healthcare provider about alcohol and substance use problems.