Growing Old Is Not for the Fainthearted

• Publication year: 2005
• Pages: 51

34 Colo.Law. 51 Colorado Bar Journal 2005.

2005, January, Pg. 51. Growing Old is Not for the Fainthearted

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51

Vol. 34, No. 1, Pg. 51

The Colorado Lawyer
January 2005
Vol. 34, No. 1 [Page 51]

Departments
Colorado Lawyers Helping Lawyers
Growing Old is Not for the Fainthearted
by Kenneth J. Hagreen, Cindy S. Reigle

Kenneth J. Hagreen is a licensed attorney and executive director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania Inc. - ken@lclpa.org. Cindy S. Reigle is a licensed social worker and deputy executive director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc. - cindy@lclpa.org

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This article originates from a talk given at the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs 2003 Annual Workshop. It draws heavily from the information presented in "Substance Abuse Among Older Adults: Treatment Improvement Protocol Series 26," from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment http://www.health.org/govpubs/BKD250. Original publication of this article is in GP/Solo (Oct./Nov. 2004), a publication of the American Bar Association General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section. C 2004 by the American Bar Association. Reprinted by permission.

Articles in this quarterly department are presented by Colorado Lawyers Helping Lawyers (formerly known as the Colorado Lawyers Health Program). Colorado Lawyers Helping Lawyers is a program approved by the Colorado Supreme Court. It is a volunteer-based, independent, non-profit lawyers' assistance program providing statewide confidential peer support and resource/referral information to all Colorado attorneys, judges, and family members who are dealing with substance and alcohol abuse, mental health issues, and other destructive behaviors or impairments. For questions or comments, please call: (303) 832-2233 or (800) 432-0977. Those interested in contributing an article on lawyers and mental health/substance abuse problems should contact Frances Smylie Brown at (303) 620-4888 or frances.brown@state.co.us.

As we age, we lose our youthful vitality, including eyesight, hearing, stamina, and mobility. Our memories fade and our critical thinking skills slow down. Most of us will suffer from at least one major illness, and many of us will endure several chronic conditions. We will be treated by multiple doctors, be prescribed multiple medications, and take numerous over-the-counter medications in the never-ending search to feel and function better.

In addition to these bodily breakdowns, we must adjust to ever-increasing personal losses. Loved ones and friends become ill, are incapacitated, and die. Each loss will take its toll. The buildup of losses through the years can trigger severe emotional discomfort. Some of us are better able to accept and adapt to life on life's terms. But all of us are vulnerable to extended periods of bereavement, anxiety, or depression when too many losses accumulate. Many of us will use alcohol and other drugs to help ease the emotional pain.

Unintentional Alcohol Abuse

As we become older, alcohol use may unintentionally become alcohol abuse. Unknowingly, we inflict additional harm upon ourselves if we continue to drink as we did when younger. By age 50, we experience a decrease in gastric alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme, a decrease in body water, and an increase in fat cells combined with a decrease in lean cells. The net result of these physiological changes is that a little alcohol now goes a long way. Amounts we used to drink with no ill effect may now cause intoxication or other complications. By age 65, it is generally recommended that a man should limit himself to one drink per day and a woman to even less.

Accidental Prescription Drug Misuse

The use of sleep aids or tranquilizers creates another high-risk situation. Often a primary-care physician will prescribe these drugs to help us cope with insomnia, grief or anxiety. This approach treats only the symptoms and not the cause. If they are to be used, these medications should be taken only for...