A Nurse Assesses Four Patients Between the Ages of 70

A nurse assesses four patients between the ages of 70 and 80 years. Which patient has the highest risk for alcohol abuse?

A) The patient who consumed one glass of wine nightly with dinner
B) The patient who began drinking alcohol daily after retirement and says, "A few drinks keep my mind off my arthritis."
C) The patient who drank socially throughout adult life and continues this pattern, saying "I've earned the right to do as I please."
D) The patient who abused alcohol between the ages of 25 and 40 years but now abstains and occasionally attends Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)