Alcohol abuse can affect anyone at any age. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), 17.6 million Americans suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence. Seniors may be even more susceptible to alcohol abuse for several reasons:
- Children moving away, the death of a spouse, or the increasing pain of an aging body may isolate older Americans and lead them to use alcohol to ease pain or loneliness. According to the NCADD, widowers over the age of 75 have the highest rate of alcoholism in the United States.
- As we age, our bodies change and research suggests a person’s sensitivity to alcohol may increase as we grow older.
- Medications, which seniors use in greater numbers than other Americans, may decrease a person’s tolerance for alcohol or create harmful interactions.
- The symptoms of alcohol abuse in seniors may be overlooked or mistaken for another disease or condition.
The dangers
Most people are aware of the damage alcohol can do to the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis or alcoholic hepatitis. Anyone who has consumed alcohol is also aware of its short-term effects on the brain, leading to slurred speech, difficulty walking and slowed reaction times. What may be less well-known is that alcohol abuse can cause long-term memory problems. It can also have negative effects on the heart. A new study showed that alcohol abuse increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart attack and congestive heart failure. Mixing alcohol with some medications can produce disastrous results. Even taking an innocuous aspirin with alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding; alcohol taken with acetaminophen can increase your chance of liver damage.
The warning signs
It’s important to note that not everyone who drinks alcohol has a drinking problem. Millions of seniors drink responsibly as part of their social and dining activities. So, what sets a responsible drinker apart from someone who has a problem? Here are some warning signs that signal a loved one may have an issue that needs addressing.
- Drinking alone or secretively
- Feeling irritable, moody or resentful when not drinking
- Drinking while on medication that warns against mixing alcohol
- A loss of interest in activities that used to bring pleasure
Treatment
The good news is that alcohol abuse is a treatable condition and studies show that older drinkers are just as able to benefit from treatment as their younger counterparts. For those who are in otherwise good health and who have a strong support system (as well as the motivation to quit or reduce their drinking), the likelihood of recovery is quite good. If the alcohol abuse has been ongoing for a number of years, the first step of recovery may involve detoxification. Rehabilitation can come in the form of medication, talk therapy, or a 12-step program. Maintaining sobriety often requires ongoing support, such as the meetings held by Alcoholics Anonymous.
If your loved one’s alcohol abuse started late in life as a result of being socially isolated, help them find ways to connect with others – either through a local senior center or Area Agency on Aging. If they aren’t already online, help them get set up and help them establish a Facebook account. Show them the information and resources available to them. A study conducted by the University of Exeter showed the results of a two-year experimental program that supplied vulnerable older adults aged 60 to 95 with a computer, broadband connection, and training. They discovered that “those trained had heightened feelings of self-competence, engaged more in social activity, had a stronger sense of personal identity and showed improved cognitive capacity. These factors led to overall better mental health and well-being.” Of course, nothing replaces human contact and companionship.
