Indicators of problem drinking in the slovenian elderly: a qualitative analysis Introduction: Life-long drinking habits may be transferred into old age. Approximately one third to one half of alcoholics among elderly people is engaged in hazardous or harmful drinking at middle age or later. The aims of this qualitative study were to describe drinking patterns in the elderly, to identify the most common risk factors and protective factors for hazardous or harmful drinking, older people's empowerment for resisting social pressure to drink and their knowledge about low risk drinking limits. Methods: Residents of two institutions for the elderly were included in the study. Four focus groups were formed. Focus group sessions were taped, transcribed and analysed, and risk factor categories were identified. Results: Most elderly-life-long alcohol consumers had early experiences with alcohol use due to losses (parents' death), hard physical work, lack of food, financial crises, and high accessibility of alcohol. Late onset of hazardous or harmful drinking is primarily associated with loss of a spouse or social status. Adequate parental education, and harmful drinking in elderly. Old persons were not familiar with recommendations for low-risk drinking and did not consider them of great importance. Conclusions: The results of this study provide us with a deeper insight in the beliefs and attitudes of elderly people, which is of key importance in planning public-health interventions to prevent hazardous or harmful drinking and addiction in the elderly. Also, it may help improve patient/physician communication, which is, in addition to physical examination, of key importance in recognizing hazardous or harmful drinking in elderly people attending family physicians' offices.