How do family pressure, health and ambivalence factor into entering alcohol treatment? Experiences of people aged 60 and older with alcohol use disorder

Abstract

Aim: This qualitative study is concerned with the motivations that lead older adults to enter treatment for alcohol problems. There is a need to expand our understanding of the unique characteristics and problems of this population to be able to devise specialised and effective treatments and preventive measures. Method: We conducted an analysis of secondary findings from interview data collected in a qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study. Our participants were 12 elderly people aged 60 years or more who had experienced late-onset alcohol use disorder. Transcription, categorisation, collapsing and analysis were conducted rigorously in accordance with the IPA standards. Findings: Family can function as a pressure structure in terms of fostering motivation for treatment. Participants were to a certain extent ambivalent about treatment, which led them to devaluing treatment and its effects. Our results are on par with comparable results from other studies. Conclusion: Older adults who experience very-late-onset of alcohol use disorder experience familial pressure and health concerns which lead them to enter treatment. Our participants seemed ambivalent about treatment and its necessity, which seems to lead to a devaluation of therapy.