Photo courtesy of Alcohol Abuse Treatment.

What group of binge drinkers  overindulges  most often? You may be surprised to learn it’s the elderly and not college students, according to this article in Florida’s Sun Sentinel.

According to an annual report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seniors who indulge to the extreme with alcohol do so on average 5.5 times a month, compared to four times a month for people under age 45.

In the article National Association of Social Workers member Stephen Ferrante explained why. Ferrante is coordinator of a social work program on aging issues at Florida Atlantic University.

“They are typically alone and in isolation, often drinking in response to some problem in their lives,” he said.

However, Ferrante said seniors citizens in treatment have more success overcoming drug and alcohol problems than other groups.

To learn more about social workers help the elderly visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Seniors and Aging Website by clicking here. Social workers also help clients overcome drug and alcohol addictions. To learn more click here.