Addressing the needs of older adults receiving alcohol treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objectives:The COVID-19 global pandemic resulted in major changes to the provision of alcohol treatment in the UK, these changes coincided with increases in the use of alcohol. This study sought to understand the impact of the pandemic on older adults in alcohol treatment, and to explore how changes in the provision of alcohol treatment were experienced. Method: Semi-structured interviews were completed with older adults (aged 55+) in alcohol treatment, as well as alcohol practitioners providing support to older adults. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test -Consumption (AUDIT-C). Results: Thirty older adults in alcohol treatment and fifteen alcohol practitioners were recruited. The COVID-19 pandemic was found to result in both increases and decreases in alcohol use; changes in alcohol use depended on a number of factors, such as living arrangements, family support, physical and mental health. Many alcohol treatment services moved to a model of remote support during the pandemic. However, face-to-face service provision was considered to be essential by both older adults in alcohol treatment and alcohol practitioners. Engagement with online support was low, with older adults facing barriers in using online technology. Conclusion:The study highlights the importance of face-to-face treatment and intervention for older adults in alcohol treatment. Addiction services may see increased demand for treatment as a result of the pandemic; it is important that services consider the needs of older adults, many of whom may be marginalised by a remote model of service provision.

Changes in alcohol use during the COVID‐19 pandemic and previous pandemics: A systematic review

“…In particular, there is a need to assess separately the impact of the pandemic in the context of gender and race. Furthermore, the pandemic may have had a differential impact on the use of alcohol by people with different socio‐demographic characteristics (Chartier & Karriker‐Jaffe, 2021 ), people who have and who do not have an AUD (Seddon et al, 2021 ; Yazdi et al, 2020 ), people who have preexisting mental health problems (Capasso et al, 2021 ; Davis et al, 2021 ), and people who used or did not use in‐person support groups prior to the pandemic and whose support networks were disrupted by the pandemic (Seddon et al, 2021 ). These potential differential impacts of the pandemic on alcohol use should be investigated.…”

Guest editorial

“…In recent years, arbitrary upper age limits also excluded older people from some alcohol and mental health support; this has now been addressed in the UK as a consequence of research and lobbying (Wadd et al , 2017). In addition to hearing issues affecting engagement with telephone support, high levels of digital exclusion amongst older people have meant remote support during the COVID-19 pandemic has been unobtainable (Seddon et al , 2020). It will be particularly important to ensure accessible support is available to older people in the wake of the pandemic to ensure older people are not further excluded; as primary care, alcohol and mental health services continue to adopt remote approaches.…”

Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults: The Effects of a Pandemic

“…However, one in 10 older adults over age 65 years reports exceeding this amount. While online support or treatment groups emerged during the pandemic, the lack of face-to-face contact had a negative effect on many who struggle with alcohol addiction (Seddon et al, 2021).…”