Older Women and Substance Abuse 
Doctors are being warned about a "hidden epidemic" that threatens women in their golden years.  A study released today finds an alarming number of older women are abusing drugs and alcohol.  But most of them are keeping it secret.

Mary Lou Dobelbower/recovering alcoholic:  "I couldn't drink until Oprah Winfrey came on because that meant that my work
was done. I could turn my little TV on in the kitchen and start preparing a meal."

Mary Lou Dobelbower believed if she could wait until 4:00pm before taking that first drink each day, she could not be an alcoholic.  But she was fooling herself.

A new study finds she is not alone.  Seven percent of women over age 59 abuse alcohol, according to the Columbia University report.  Eleven percent, or nearly 2.8 million are addicted to psychoactive prescription drugs.
  
Joseph Califano/National Center on Addiction & Abuse:
"The bottom line is that mature women are seated on the last row of the health care bus.  These women provide the most inexcusable example of second class medical citizenship that too many american women experience."

Dr. Jeffrey Berger/Brighton Hospital:  "They often have shame, go to extreme lengths to hide their drinking."
 

The report says doctors, and family members need to become more aware, and look for the signs of abuse.

Betty ford/former First Lady:  "My husband and children proceeded to tell me that they were not going to stand
by and watch my addiction to pain medication and alcohol destroy my life and their wife and their mother."

Like former First Lady Betty Ford, Mary Lou was confronted by her family during an "intervention."

Mary Lou believes older women are vulnerable to addiction because often, the kids are grown and their roles are changing dramatically.

Dr. Berger: "They often have unbearable loneliness in their lives."

Mary Lou: "It's just my husband and I, we should be enjoying these golden years together."

Mary Lou has been sober for less than three months.  But already she sees herself, and her peers differently.

Mary Lou: "If you think you have a problem, you probably do.  if you don't think you have a problem, you might."

Locally, you can get free help in planning an intervention for a family member.  If you suspect a problem with drugs or alcohol. The brighton hospital program can be reached at 1-888-215-2700.

Older women are three times more likely to be hospitalized for alcohol and drug-related problems than for heart attacks.
 
 

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