Aging and Addiction
Anyone at any age can have a problem with alcohol or substance abuse and addictions in older people are often neglected by families, doctors, and the public. Because alcohol problems among older persons often are mistaken for other conditions associated with the aging process, alcohol abuse and alcoholism in this population may go undiagnosed and untreated or be treated inappropriately.
What are the effects of addiction in the older population?
Alcohol's effects vary with age. Slower reaction times, problems with hearing and seeing, and a lower tolerance to alcohol's effects put older people at higher risk for falls, car crashes, and other types of injuries that may result from drinking.
Some people increase their alcohol consumption
later in life, often leading to late-onset alcoholism. Older
people also tend to take more medicines than younger people.
Mixing alcohol with over-the-counter or prescription medications
can be very dangerous, even fatal. More than 150
medications interact harmfully with alcohol. In addition,
alcohol and substance abuse can make many of the medical conditions
common in older people, including high blood pressure and
ulcers, more serious. Physical changes associated with aging
can make older people feel "high" even after drinking
only small amounts of alcohol.
Some may develop a drinking problem late in life because of "situational" factors such as retirement, lowered income, failing health, loneliness, or the death of friends or loved ones. At first, having a drink brings relief, but later it can turn into a problem.
Not everyone who drinks regularly has a drinking problem. Signs that alcohol or substance abuse may be a problem include:
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Drinking or using to calm nerves, forget worries, or reduce depression |
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Lose interest in food |
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Gulp drinks down fast |
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Lie or try to hide drinking habits |
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Injuring self or others while drinking or using |
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Drink or use alone more often |
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Were drunk more than three or four times last year |
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Need more alcohol to get "high" |
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Feel irritable, resentful, or unreasonable when not drinking |
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Have medical, social, or financial problems caused by drinking |
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Studies indicate that elderly persons with alcohol problems are at least as likely as younger persons to benefit from alcoholism treatment. The outcomes are more favorable among persons with shorter histories of problem drinking (i.e., late onset). Recent studies suggest that treatment outcomes may be improved by treating older patients in age-segregated settings.
It is a mistaken belief that older persons have little to gain from alcoholism and substance abuse treatment; each stage of life has its own rewards for sobriety, and they are all valuable.
Help! I have a loved one that needs help with his or her addiction.
Although a small percentage of individuals are able to recover from addiction without help, the majority of them need assistance. With treatment and support, many individuals are able to rebuild their lives.
It may be helpful when talking with your loved one, to have a third party present that is professionally trained and knowledgeable about addiction. Addiction Intervention Resources moves your family out of crisis and assists in addressing your loved one’s addiction.
CLICK HERE to read more information on addiction-related crisis interventions or call our National Call Center 800.561.8158