It is worth noting that only a relatively small proportion (19%) of the oldest participants received any treatment for their alcohol problems within the past five years, whether formal or self-help in nature. This suggests a public health need that is not being sufficiently addressed (Kelly et al., 2018), particularly in light of the high risk for medical problems and early death associated with heavy drinking among older adults (Breslow et al., 2015, Vestal et al., 1977).
