Alcohol abuse is not something usually associated with aging. Underage drinking is a large problem in America and much effort is focused on its prevention. However, older adults may be at a higher risk of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol and What Caregivers Need to Know

Alcohol abuse among older adults can be attributed to many things, including depression, isolation, grief and fear, to name a few. Because aging may change the body’s composition and the way it processes alcohol, older adults need to be especially concerned when consuming alcoholic beverages.

Studies from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimate that 17% of people over age 60 misuse alcohol and that the number of alcohol-related hospitalizations for this age group are similar to the number of hospitalizations for heart attacks. In older adults the signs of alcoholism are often mistaken for other common problems associated with aging. Increased alcohol consumption puts older people at risk by dulling their senses and impairing their sense of balance, which can cause them to fall. Alcohol can cause confusion, memory loss and lack of concentration that may be mistaken for dementia.

Interactions

Many medications can interact with alcohol and increase the risk of illness, injury or death. For example, it is estimated that alcohol-medication interactions may be a factor in at least 25 percent of all emergency room admissions. An unknown number of less serious interactions may go unrecognized or unrecorded. Older adults may be especially likely to mix drugs and alcohol and are at particular risk for the consequences of such combinations. Although persons age 65 and older constitute only 12 percent of the population, they consume 25 to 30 percent of all prescription medications.

Alcohol can interact with medications in several ways. It can stop a drug's breakdown in your body, thus increasing the risk of harmful side effects. Long-term alcohol consumption can decrease a drug's availability and lessen its effects. Alcohol can also transform some drugs into toxic chemicals that can damage the liver or other organs.

Interactions can occur with anesthetics given during surgery, antibiotics, blood thinners, antidepressants, diabetic medications, pain relievers and almost any other type of medication.

Recommendations

While current nutrition recommendations allow two alcoholic beverages per day for men and one per day for women, older adults should be cautious when consuming alcohol. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends that those over age 65 have no more than one drink per day. If you choose to consume alcohol, remember that a standard alcoholic beverage contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. That amount is equivalent to:

• 12 ounces of beer
• 5 ounces of wine
• 1.5 ounces of hard liquor

Symptoms of Alcoholism

Signs of alcoholism vary from person to person, depending on their individual tolerance for alcohol. Whether you have been a lifelong heavy drinker or only recently developed a drinking problem, alcohol abuse is a very serious problem. The National Institute on Aging recommends seeking help if you or a loved one exhibit some of the following symptoms:

• Drink to calm your nerves, forget worries or reduce depression
• Gulp down drinks
• Frequently have more than one drink per day
• Lie about or try to hide drinking
• Hurt yourself or others while drinking
• Feel irritable, resentful or unreasonable when not drinking
• Have medical, social or financial worries caused by drinking

What to Do

If you think that you have a problem with alcohol abuse, or are caring for someone who has a problem with alcohol abuse, speak to a health care provider about your concern. He or she should have information about treatment programs or other options in your area that can help you deal with an alcohol abuse problem.

For more information, visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov.