- One in six Americans over 60 are overdependent
on alcohol
- Five to twelve percent of men in their
sixties have problems with alcohol
- Since 1984 men and women aged 45-65 and
over exhibit a trend in drinking that exceeds sensible
limits
- Elderly drivers are three times more
likely to be involved in a car accident after consuming
even a small amount of alcohol than they are at a zero
level of alcohol
- Alcohol interacts with 50% of the 100
drugs most frequently consumed by the elderly
Why do some older people turn to drinking
more than they did in their younger years? There is a pattern
of reasons that have emerged. They include death of a spouse,
depression, financial worries, loneliness and isolation,
insomnia, using alcohol as an anesthetic for illness and
pain, and lifestyle disruptions (like retirement and decreased
social contact).
Studies indicate that there are three
categories of elderly drinkers:
EARLY-ONSET drinkers are those who have a continuing
problem with alcohol that began earlier in life.
LATE-ONSET or Reactors, begin drinking to excess
in response to traumatic life events, such as loss of a
loved one or difficulties in adjusting to retirement. INTERMITTENT
or Binge drinkers use alcohol irregularly but to excess.
Both Late-Onset and Intermittent drinkers have a higher
chance of managing their dependency when they receive counseling
and family support.
A family physician is often the first line
of defense in determining whether or not an older patient
is drinking too much. But all too often the problem goes
undiagnosed or is underestimated. Perhaps the patient is
in denial, or family members are too embarrassed to report
alcohol problems to the patient's doctor. The diagnostic
process is further complicated because alcohol abuse can
be obscured by other health problems. Many symptoms of alcoholism
are problems usually related to aging: insomnia, depression
and poor concentration. Some warning signs to look for are:
- Confusion over simple things (date, surroundings)
- Drinking small amounts of alcohol daily
- Drinking at home alone instead of in
social settings
- Self-neglect or letting the home environment
deteriorate
- A pattern of falls and accidents at home
How can you talk to an older person you
suspect may have a problem with alcohol? Don't bring up
the subject when he or she is drinking. Be gentle and loving
but be direct. Avoid words like "alcoholic" that
are loaded with blame. Be specific by calling attention
to a particular behavior (such as "I notice you drink
nearly a whole bottle of wine each evening," instead
of saying, "You are always drunk."). Let the person
know you are worried about their drinking, how it may react
with their prescription medications, and that you are willing
to help them find treatment. Together, compile a list of
all the prescribed and over-the-counter medications they
take so their physician or counselor can fully evaluate
the problem.
Tolerance to alcohol is significantly lowered
as a person ages. It is important to know that many of the
problems associated with drinking and the elderly are adverse
side effects resulting from medication interactions with
alcohol. Eighty-three percent of people of 65 take some
prescription. More than half of all prescriptions for elders
contain a sedative. Alcohol is a sedative that depresses
brain function, as well as how medications are metabolized
in the body. The action of some drugs is exaggerated, while
other medications can actually increase the effects of alcohol.
Alcohol taken together with antidepressants can worsen the
depression.
How do you know if a person's drinking is
alcoholism? "Anytime drinking alcohol affects your
health, then alcohol is a problem," says a professor
of nursing. "Elderly alcoholics are more common than
people realize or want to believe. "The good news is
that seniors have a higher rate of recovery from substance
abuse than many young adults. It is never too late to turn
a life around.
RESOURCES:
- WRAP (Windham/Windsor Recovery Assistance
Program)
Offers services to Vermonters regardless of ability to
pay full fees. Accepts Medicare and VHAP. (463-3947 in
Bellows Falls, 254-6028 in Brattleboro, 885-5781 in Springfield).
- Coalition on Substance Abuse and Older
Vermonters meets to discuss substance abuse among seniors.
Call Adrienne Cohen for information (388-4678)
- A.A. for the Older Alcoholic: Never Too
Late. Pamphlet published by Alcoholics Anonymous (log
onto www.aa.org or call
your local A.A. office listed in telephone directory).
