Dual Diagnosis in Elders Discharged From a Psychiatric Hospital

This study examined the prevalence & correlates of dual diagnosis (alcoholism & depression) in older psychiatric inpatients & compared the findings with those of studies on similarly diagnosed younger subjects. Prevalence rates for substance abuse was higher in the elderly; however, the presence of chronic physical ailments & personal losses they experienced impacted on their development of depression & alcoholism. History of suicide attempts is also looked at in the 2 groups. (48 refs)