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 Source:Eldercare Committee/Human Resources Work and Family Program             
 Last changed on PNN: October 22, 1992                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
          AGING AND ALCOHOL ABUSE                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Alcohol abuse among older men and women is a more                               
serious problem than people generally realize.  Until recently                  
older problem drinkers tended to be ignored by both health                      
professionals and the general public.  The neglect occurred                     
for several reasons: our elderly population was small and                       
few were identified as alcoholics, chronic problem drinkers                     
(those who abused alcohol off and on for most of their                          
lives) often died before old age; and, because they are                         
often retired or have fewer social contacts, older people                       
have often been able to hide drinking problems.                                 
                                                                                
Some families may unknowingly "encourage" drinking in                           
older family members if they have the attitude that drinking                    
should be tolerated because older people have only a                            
limited time left and therefore should be allowed to "enjoy"                    
themselves.                                                                     
                                                                                
As more people learn that alcohol problems can be                               
successfully treated at any age, more are willing to seek                       
help to stop drinking.                                                          
                                                                                
Physical Effects of Alcohol                                                     
                                                                                
Alcohol slows down brain activity.  It impairs mental                           
alertness, judgment, physical coordination, and reaction                        
time -- increasing the risk of falls and accidents.                             
                                                                                
Over time, heavy drinking can cause permanent damage to                         
the brain and central nervous system, as well as to the                         
liver, heart kidneys, and stomach.                                              
                                                                                
Alcohol can affect the body in unusual ways, making                             
certain medical problems difficult to diagnose.  For                            
example, the effects of alcohol on the cardiovascular                           
system (the heart and blood vessels) can mask pain, which                       
may otherwise serve as a warning sign of heart attack.                          
Alcoholism can also produce symptoms similar to those of                        
dementia -- forgetfulness, reduced attention, confusion.  If                    
incorrectly identified, such symptoms may lead to                               
unnecessary institutionalization.                                               
                                                                                
Alcohol, itself a drug, mixes unfavorably with many other                       
drugs, including those sold by prescription and those                           
bought over-the-counter.  In addition, use of prescription                      
drugs may intensify the older person's reaction to alcohol,                     
leading to more rapid intoxication.  Alcohol can dangerously                    
slow down performance skills (driving, walking, etc.),                          
impair judgment, and reduce alertness when taken with                           
drugs such as:                                                                  
                                                                                

    (chlordiazepoxide), Miltown (meprobamate), and                              
    others.                                                                     
                                                                                

    Mellaril (thioridazine), and others.                                        
                                                                                

                                                                                

    (meperidine), and others.                                                   
                                                                                

    counter forms found in cold remedies.                                       
                                                                                
Use of alcohol can cause other drugs to be metabolized                          
more rapidly, producing exaggerated responses.  Such                            
drugs include: anticonvulsants (Dilantin), anticoagulants                       
(Coumadin), and antidiabetes drugs (Orinase).                                   
                                                                                
In some people, aspirin can cause bleeding in the stomach                       
and intestines.  Alcohol also irritates the stomach and can                     
aggravate this bleeding.  The combination of alcohol and                        
diuretics can reduce blood pressure in some individuals,                        
producing dizziness.                                                            
                                                                                
Anyone who drinks -- even moderately -- should check with                       
a doctor or pharmacist about possible drug interactions.                        
                                                                                
Who Becomes a Problem Drinker?                                                  
                                                                                
In old age, problem drinkers seem to be one of two types.                       
The first are chronic abusers, those who have used alcohol                      
heavily throughout life.  Although most chronic abusers die                     
by middle age, some survive into old age.  Approximately                        
two-thirds of older alcoholics are in this group.                               
                                                                                
The second type begins excessive drinking late in life, often                   
in response to "situational" factors -- retirement, lowered                     
income, declining health, and the deaths of friends and                         
loved ones.  In these cases, alcohol is first used for                          
temporary relief but later becomes a problem.                                   
                                                                                
Detecting Drinking Problems                                                     
                                                                                
Not everyone who drinks regularly or heavily is an alcohol                      
abuser, but the following symptoms frequently indicate a                        
problem:                                                                        
                                                                                

    depression.                                                                 
                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                                

    the past year).                                                             
                                                                                

    get the desired effect.                                                     
                                                                                

    during nondrinking periods.                                                 
                                                                                

    that are caused by drinking.                                                
                                                                                
Getting Help                                                                    
                                                                                
Older problem drinkers and alcoholics have an unusually                         
good chance for recovery because they tend to stay with                         
treatment programs for the duration.                                            
                                                                                
Getting help can begin with a family doctor or member of                        
the clergy; through a local health department or social                         
services agency; or with one of the following organizations:                    
                                                                                
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a voluntary fellowship of                          
alcoholics whose purpose is to help themselves and each                         
other get -- and stay -- sober.  For information about their                    
programs call your local chapter or write to the national                       
office at P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York,                        
NY 10163.  They can also send you a free pamphlet on                            
alcoholism and older people entitled "Time to Start Living."                    
                                                                                
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol Information is a Federal                     
information service that answers public inquiries, distributes                  
written materials, and conducts literature searches.  For                       
information, write to P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20852.                       
                                                                                
National Council on Alcoholism distributes literature and                       
can refer you to treatment services in your area.  Call your                    
local office (if listed in the telephone book) or write to the                  
national headquarters at 12 West 21st Street, New York,                         
NY 10010.                                                                       
                                                                                
The previous materials are a summary of information                             
published by: the National Institute on Aging.  These                           
materials are meant as a general guideline.  You should                         
always consult with your own physician prior to taking                          
action.