In this work we focused on comparison of alcoholism in the elderly and young adults. We found that young alcoholics compared with elderly one s have more of ten positive family history, combine and consume significantly higher amounts of alcoholic drinks. Suicidal behaviour, and divorce rate are twice of ten in the group of young patients. On the other hand, elderly alcoholics have more of ten somatic and psychiatric complications, prefer to drink only distillates, and very seldom combine different types of drinks. Elderly alcoholics are type A which is characterised by later onset, lower risk factors, less severe dependence, and less psychopathology. On the other hand young patients are type B alcoholics (familial alcoholism, early-onset alcohol-related problems, greater severe dependence, more chronic treatment). There are two types of alcoholism in the elderly, early onset alcoholism, and late onset alcoholism. Determinants of alcoholism in the elderly are history of alcohol abuse (men), psychosocial factors (women). Consequences consist of somatic and psychiatric illnesses, more use of intensive care, longer inpatient stays, and higher hospital charges.

Key words: alcoholism – elderly – differences – characteristics – complications