A typology of elderly alcohol abusers was developed on the basis of case studies conducted at an outreach addictions treatment program for the elderly. Three main types were defined: chronic alcohol abuser (abusive drinking primarily maintained by a life of habitual consumption and a lack of alternative activities), reactive problem drinker (alcohol abuse developed and maintained in response to a loss, such as ill health or death of a spouse), and problem drinkers whose drinking seemed to be interrelated with psychatric or connitive problems. Case descriptions are provided to illustrate each type and the treatment implications of typology are discussed.