Alcohol abuse can sneak up on anybody. Some seniors drink later in life because of health problems, boredom, or loneliness after death of a spouse or friend. This is considered, "late onset drinking". A lifestyle change or occurrence that elicits feelings of sadness or stress may trigger drinking.
But Seniors may be at a greater risk for health problems related to alcohol abuse due to their aging bodies and medical history. Drinking alcohol may affect the body and brain in many ways that may put them in harm's way. This includes falls, accidents, and car crashes. Over time, heavy alcohol consumption can cause liver inflammation (hepatitis) or liver scarring (cirrhosis) as wells as cancer and pancreatitis. Alcohol is harmful to the liver because the liver is the organ that metabolizes alcohol. Long term drinking can also impair thinking ability.
Moderate drinking is defined as, up to 2 drinks per day for men less than 65 years of age and 1 drink for women less than 65 years of age and for men over 65 years old. Currently, 1 drink per day is linked to a reduced cardiovascular disease risk in women. However, heavy drinking can damage your heart.
Generally, older men are more likely to have a drinking problem as opposed to women. Yet women (of all ages) are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol. This is attributed to women breaking down alcohol more slowly than men and alcohol becoming more concentrated in a women's body because their bodies contain less water. That is why women become more impaired than men when they consume the same amount of alcohol.
Treatment is for those who abuse alcohol and cannot stay within healthy drinking limits. A physician can help decide what is the best treatment. Medicines, therapy, substance abuse therapy and/or a support group are available. Some studies show that older adults respond better to treatment with other older adults instead of being mixed with younger people.
The message is the same for the all ages: drink in moderation, don't drive, and talk to someone if you think you may have a problem.
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