Currently, there are approximately 35 million adults age 65 or over in the United States and the Baby Boom generation will cause this number to increase to 70 million in 2030. Substance abuse, particularly of alcohol, within this population is a serious health issue. Until recently, little research has been conducted toward more fully understanding the epidemiologic, diagnostic and treatment issues this age group presents. Significant psychosocial and physiological differences exist between older adults and younger adults. The older adult who abuses alcohol biologically reacts to alcohol differently and presents differently to medical and mental health professionals. Treatment practices regarding the older adult who abuses alcohol are heavily drawn from fields of gerontology and psychiatry yet little empirically supported research on older adults exists.

This study sought to explain how older adults who abuse alcohol made the decision to become sober and what actions the older adult took to achieve sobriety and recovery. The study is qualitative in nature and used a phenomenological approach through open-ended interviews to discover and interpret the lived experiences of the older adult who abuses alcohol. A total of eight study participants from a purposive sample were asked a variety of questions concerning their reasons for becoming sober, what particular psychosocial influences were present at the time the decision was made and what actions were taken by the participants in their effort to become sober.

Data was collected during 45-minute-long interviews that were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The data was analyzed according to Colaizzi's procedural steps. The analysis revealed four dominant themes. The themes were centered on identifying oneself as an alcoholic, family influences in the decision to stop drinking, issues of self-esteem and character, and perceptions of Alcoholics Anonymous. The findings of the study reflect the overall heterogeneity of the participants' experiences related to the abuse of alcohol. Recommendations for further research included exploring the efficacy of family therapy for substance abuse in the older adult population and the need to consider the difference in clinical presentation and psychosocial needs of older adults who identify themselves as cultural minorities.