Aging and Alcohol
The size of the older adult population is increasing rapidly. Alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harms are also increasing among this population, and at a faster rate for women than men. Alcohol misuse refers to drinking in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to the person who drinks or to those around them. Alcohol misuse includes binge drinking and heavy alcohol use as well as consumption at lower levels for some individuals. Although some older adults may have enjoyed a certain amount of alcohol on a regular basis for years without any apparent problems, they might notice that they now feel the effects of alcohol are more pronounced and come on more quickly. As people age, changes in their bodies, as well as in their physical and mental health, may cause alcohol to affect them differently than when they were younger and put them at greater risk for negative consequences. Understanding how alcohol affects the health of older adults can help them and their health care providers make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Older People Are More Sensitive to Alcohol’s Effects than Younger People
Older people are more sensitive to the sedative (sleep-inducing) effects of alcohol, as well as its effects on balance, coordination, attention, and driving skills. This puts older adults at higher risk for falls, car crashes, and other injuries that may result from drinking. Research suggests that women may be more susceptible than men to the adverse effects of alcohol.
In addition, due to changes in the body, such as reduced muscle mass and body water, some older adults may reach higher blood alcohol concentrations than younger people after consuming the same amount of alcohol. As a result, older adults could develop alcohol-related problems at lower drinking amounts than younger people.
Alcohol Can Negatively Affect Cognitive and Mental Health
Alcohol misuse by older adults is associated with faster cognitive decline, such as problems with memory, thinking, and judgment. These effects can negatively impact a person’s quality of life. Alcohol misuse can also precede mental health conditions or make ongoing mental health conditions worse. For example, major life changes like retirement, the death of a loved one, or health issues can prompt a person to begin, continue, or increase alcohol use to cope with stress and feelings of loneliness, boredom, anxiety, or depression. Unfortunately, the temporary relief produced by alcohol is short lived and generates worsening of the negative emotions leading to a cycle of “trying to fix the problem that in fact the alcohol is causing.” Mental and cognitive health challenges may complicate treatment for alcohol use disorder.
Similarly, many adults experience problems with the duration and quality of their sleep as they age. These problems may lead some older adults to self-medicate with alcohol in an attempt to improve their sleep. Drinking to help with poor sleep, however, can actually make sleep problems worse.
Alcohol Can Worsen or Increase the Risk of Physical Health Problems
In addition, alcohol misuse can increase the risk of—or worsen—medical conditions that are more common with aging, such as chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Alcohol misuse is also associated with an increased risk of various types of cancer. Recent research points to health risks for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease at low levels of alcohol consumption, regardless of the type of beverage.
Alcohol and Medicines Don’t Mix
Many older adults take medications that could interact with alcohol. These interactions could cause the medications to not work properly or make them dangerous or even deadly. For example, medications used to treat anxiety, pain, or sleep problems have sedating effects that could further increase the risk of falls, injuries, and overdoses, as well as memory impairments, when combined with alcohol.
Below are some examples of common medications that may interact badly with alcohol and the potential effects when combined with alcohol:
- Combining alcohol with aspirin increases the risk of stomach or intestinal bleeding.
- Acetaminophen may cause liver damage, particularly in people who drink chronically.
- Some cough syrups contain alcohol, which could add to the effects of alcohol in a beverage if you consume them simultaneously.
- Mixing alcohol with any drug that produces sedation or makes one sleepy can be deadly. Such drugs include sleep medications, anxiety medications, cold and allergy medications, and opioid pain medications.
- Alcohol can alter the blood levels and efficacy of certain blood pressure medications and antibiotics, as well as increase the risk of side effects.
Beyond the examples noted above, alcohol has the potential to interact negatively with many other commonly prescribed medications. If you are an older adult who consumes alcohol, it is important to talk to your doctor to determine if you may be taking medications that could interact with alcohol or have a health condition that could be made worse by consuming alcohol.
If You Think You Have an Alcohol Problem
For older adults, clues to a possible alcohol problem may include memory loss, depression, anxiety, poor appetite, unexplained bruises, falls, sleeping problems, and inattention to cleanliness or appearance. If you are concerned about your own drinking patterns or those of a loved one, talk to a health care provider.
For more information about alcohol treatment options and how to stop drinking, please visit the NIAAA website at niaaa.nih.gov.