As we age, the effects of alcohol on our mind and body changes. Even without increasing their intake, older drinkers may suffer from the stronger effects of alcohol. This is due to their increased sensitivity to alcohol.

It is possible for someone to develop a harmful relationship with alcohol even at a later point in their life. But because of potential health complications, older adults are advised to drink less or just completely avoid alcohol.

Major changes in a person’s life such as moving to a new home, grieving the death of a loved one, or experiencing health problems, can all push them towards alcohol abuse.

It is important to note that not everyone who drinks everyday has an alcohol use disorder. In fact, it is also applicable the other way around: not everyone who misuses alcohol drinks every day.

Regardless of your age, heavy drinking and binge drinking can lead to serious consequences like physical and mental health problems. But people over the age of 65 have a slower metabolism, which means alcohol stays in their system for a longer time.

Heavy drinking at this age can lead to dangerous complications because the amount of alcohol within the person’s blood is now much higher than when they were younger. With a higher blood alcohol concentration, older adults are at risk of severe health problems.

For people over the age of 65, intoxication happens faster and the effects of alcohol last longer. This is due to the fact that older people have less water in their bodies.

Liver disease and cancer are only a few examples of health problems that can develop as a result of heavy alcohol consumption.

The elderly already face a lot of serious health issues. It goes without saying that alcohol abuse and addiction can make these problems even worse. It can aggravate the illnesses that are already affecting seniors.

For example, excessive alcohol consumption can worsen diabetes, making it harder to keep one’s blood sugar levels under control. In fact, you are more likely to develop diabetes in the first place if you engage in heavy drinking.

Aside from diabetes, drinking excessively can also increase the odds of high blood pressure and hypertension by putting a lot of strain on the person’s circulatory system. Heart disease is a common problem among older citizens, but alcohol abuse can only make things worse.

Alcohol can even have a negative effect on your bone density, making you more likely to develop osteoporosis.

Another example of a health problem that is made even worse by alcohol misuse is dementia. Drinking has been found to increase the risk of developing dementia and other memory problems. Alcohol abuse at any age can lead to various memory problems and problems with cognition, but this is especially true for seniors.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism, people older than 65 should have no more than 7 drinks a week. This is for seniors who do not take any medicines and are generally considered healthy.

Seniors should have no more than 1 to 2 drinks within a single day. One drink refers to 5 ounces of wine; 8 ounces of malt liquor; 12 ounces of beer, wine cooler, or ale; or 1.5 ounces of distilled liquor.

There are several serious consequences that older adults may face if they keep drinking large amounts of alcohol. For example, they may put themselves at risk of liver damage, immune system disorders, brain damage, and certain kinds of cancer.

Alcohol can make certain health conditions worse, including diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, ulcers, memory problems, mood disorders, and stroke.

It can also make it more difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat certain medical conditions. Because alcohol affects the heart and the blood vessels, it can potentially dull the pain that is supposed to be a warning sign of a heart attack.

Health complications aren’t the only thing senior citizens should worry about when it comes to alcohol consumption. Even just a small amount of alcohol can be dangerous for the elderly because it can impair their judgment, slow their reaction time, affect their coordination, and make them lose their balance. All of these effects make an older adult more likely to get into accidents.

For seniors, alcohol consumption increases the risk of falls and other accidents. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is still an extremely dangerous thing to do. Older people who drink are just as likely to get into car crashes and traffic accidents.

Compared to younger people, seniors are more fragile because they have thinner bones. Falls and accidents can cause them to break their hip, arms, and other bones more easily. Unintentional injuries are more common among those who drink too much alcohol.

Older adults tend to take a lot more medications. Alcohol and certain medicines may have serious interactions, which may put someone’s life in danger. Certain herbal products, prescription medications, and over the counter medications may interact with alcohol and cause serious health problems.

You have to remember that alcohol and medicines can interact even if they are not taken at the same time. If the medicine is still in the person’s bloodstream when they drink alcohol, the interaction may still happen.

Some medicines, when combined with alcohol, can cause some dangerous effects. For example, acetaminophen and alcohol together may cause liver damage, especially if both are taken in large doses.

Alcohol and certain sleeping pills or pain medications can be deadly when taken together because they can potentially slow or stop your breathing.

It is highly recommended that you keep your healthcare provider informed about the kind of medicines you drink, whether it’s simple herbal remedies, cold and allergy medicine, painkillers, etc. 

Spotting alcoholism in an older person is tricky because the most telltale signs are often mistaken as mere signs of aging. Memory problems, fatigue, lack of focus, depression, and isolation are some signs of alcoholism that may easily go unnoticed.

If you think someone you love may be abusing alcohol, make sure you pay close attention to some of the telltale signs and symptoms of alcoholism.

For example, they may suffer from increased short-term memory loss, confusion, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. You may also notice changes in their behavior. They may have alcohol in their home frequently or they may lose interest in things they used to enjoy. They will withdraw from social activities in favor of drinking.

Some addicted individuals become more secretive because they are trying to hide their drinking problem. They may isolate themselves or lie about their alcohol intake. Some people even begin to neglect their personal hygiene because they are busy drinking.

Loved ones are often the first to notice these behavioral changes. If you spot these signs, you may want to approach them and talk to them about their situation. Some people may be in denial about their drinking problem, so you may have to stage a proper intervention.

Just as there are many reasons older adults may start drinking more alcohol, there are also many reasons for them to stop doing so. They may want to keep their high blood sugar under control or lower their blood pressure. They may want to keep their liver healthy and functional.

Others may want to maintain a good relationship with their family. They understand that staying addicted to alcohol will only get in the way of that.

Of course, you will also want to avoid alcohol to prevent yourself from getting into legal troubles, fatal falls, or deadly car crashes. Keeping your alcohol intake under control will allow you to stay healthy and live a longer life. A healthier drinking approach can fix a lot of these problems.

Whatever it is, write down your reasons for wanting to reduce your alcohol intake. Whether it’s to prevent health complications or to maintain healthy relationships with your loved ones, writing down your reasons will give you a clear goal to work towards. This will make you more motivated to stay on the right track.

Stay on top of your drinking habits by tracking your alcohol intake for at least 1 week. Then you can set a drinking goal and try to stick with it. If you are worried about withdrawal symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider so they can give you an idea about proper treatment options.

Remember that treatment is available no matter what your age or how serious your alcohol use disorder is. Seek treatment for your alcohol use disorder today. It may be difficult to remain abstinent, but there are plenty of rehab options that will help you get sober and teach you how to stay sober.

There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing a rehab program for your alcohol use disorder: the type of treatment, location of rehab facility, co-occurring disorders, geriatric mental health, age-specific treatment, amenities, etc. But you can find plenty of alcohol addiction and treatment resources online, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

There is no timeline for sobriety. Regardless of age, you can fight addiction and win. Get started on the road to sobriety today.

Treatment is an addicted individualʼs best option if they want to recover. Beating an addiction not only requires eliminating the physical dependence, but also addressing the behavioral factors that prevent them from wanting to get better. Simply quitting may not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Some people quit for a while, and then take drugs or alcohol again, only to overdose because they did not detox properly. Recovery involves changing the way the patient feels, thinks, and behaves.