Contrary to a widespread impression, dependence is not rare among the elderly. The numbers are clearly increasing. The results of therapy are more favorable than is usually assumed, especially when it is possible to form groups appropriate to the age which cope with the particular problems of this stage of life better than mixed age groups. Consideration must be given to the less verbalizing experience and lower physical fitness of older patients, they are then distinctly more cooperative and more easily adjusted to the therapeutic aim of future total abstinence than younger patients.