Alcohol & Older Adults

An estimated 3 million Americans over the age of 60 are addicted to alcohol.

Some older alcoholics have struggled with lifelong drinking problems while others turn to alcohol because of difficulties adjusting to retirement, deaths of family or friends, depression, chronic illness, or financial troubles. As a caregiver you may be concerned about your parent's drinking. Signs of alcohol abuse include poor personal care, confusion, falls, minor accidents, and beer cans or wine bottles in the trash.

HELP FOR PROBLEM DRINKERS

In the past most health and social service professionals didn't think much could be done to help older alcoholics stop drinking. The good news is: older people have higher success rates when they seek treatment for their drinking problem than younger alcoholics. They are also more likely to remain sober after treatment – especially if alcoholism is not a long-standing problem, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON OLDER PEOPLE

Older adults are more sensitive to alcohol so it takes fewer drinks for them to become intoxicated than for younger people. Falls and household accidents are more likely to occur in older drinkers. Long-term drinkers are at increased risk for cirrhosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Drinking combined with prescription or over-the-counter drugs can cause serious interactions.

Older people should NOT drink alcohol if they take these medications:

• oral diabetes drugs
• antidepressants
• aspirin
• heart and blood pressure drugs
• arthritis medications

Poor sleepers may believe that a nightcap can help them fall asleep. A glass of wine will make a person sleepy, but he or she will wake up suddenly an hour or so later and can't get back to sleep.

STEPS TOWARD RECOVERY

Treatment and recovery begin only when the older person's drinking problem has been recognized.

The "CAGE" test can help you and your parent determine if he or she is drinking too much:

• Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
• Have people Annoyed you by commenting on your drinking?
• Do you ever feel Guilty about your drinking?
• Have you ever needed a drink first thing in the morning as an Eye-opener to get you going?

Answering "yes" to two or more of these questions indicates that your parent could benefit from professional help. Social service agencies often have alcohol treatment programs especially for older drinkers. Al-Anon programs can help you and other family members learn to cope with a problem drinker even if he or she refuses to seek help.

STAYING SOBER

Although your relative may agree to participate in a treatment program, you should understand that many older drinkers may never be willing to admit to themselves or their families that they are addicted to alcohol. The most important goal is to get your family member to stop drinking. With professional help and information about alcohol's effects on the body and the mind, older people and their families can understand the consequences of drinking. With education and the support of families and friends, older alcoholics can choose to live each day without taking a drink.

ALCOHOLISM RESOURCES

• Alcoholics Anonymous – an organization for recovering alcoholics of all ages. Check the phone directory for AA groups in your area.
• Al-Anon – an organization for friends and relatives of alcoholics who share their experiences and problems of living with an alcoholic. Check the phone directory for AA groups in your area.
• National Institute on Aging. "AgePage: Alcohol Use and Abuse." Available at the NIA website: www.niapublications.org
• Alcoholism.about.com. Easy-to-navigate website on alcohol abuse for all age groups. www.alcoholism.com
• "As You Age…A Guide to Aging, Medicine and Alcohol." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. www.samshsa.gov.