Anyone at any age can have a drinking
problem. Great Uncle George may have always been a heavy drinker--his
family may find that as he gets older the problem gets worse. Grandma
Betty may have been a teetotaler all her life, just taking a drink
"to help her get to sleep" after her husband died--now she needs
a couple of drinks to get through the day. These are common stories.
Drinking problems in older people are often neglected by families,
doctors, and the public.
Physical Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol slows down brain activity. Because
alcohol affects alertness, judgment, coordination, and reaction
time--drinking increases the risk of falls and accidents. Some research
has shown that it takes less alcohol to affect older people than younger
ones. Over time, heavy drinking permanently damages the brain and central
nervous system, as well as the liver, heart, kidneys, and stomach.
Alcohol’s effects can make some medical problems hard to diagnose. For
example, alcohol causes changes in the heart and blood vessels that can
dull pain that might be a warning sign of a heart attack. It also can
cause forgetfulness and confusion, which can seem like Alzheimer’s
disease.
Mixing Drugs
Alcohol, itself a drug, is often harmful if
mixed with prescription or over-the-counter medicines. This is a special
problem for people over 65, because they are often heavy users of
prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs.
Mixing alcohol with other drugs such as
tranquilizers, sleeping pills, pain killers, and antihistamines can be
very dangerous, even fatal. For example, aspirin can cause bleeding in the
stomach and intestines; when it is combined with alcohol, the risk of
bleeding is much higher.
As people age, the body’s ability to
absorb and dispose of alcohol and other drugs changes. Anyone who drinks
should check with a doctor or pharmacist about possible problems with drug
and alcohol interactions.
Who Becomes a Problem Drinker?
There are two types of problem
drinkers--chronic and situational. Chronic abusers have been heavy
drinkers for many years. Although many chronic abusers die by middle age,
some live well into old age. Most older problem drinkers are in this
group.
Other people may develop a drinking problem
late in life, often because of "situational" factors such as
retirement, lowered income, failing health, loneliness, or the death of
friends or loved ones. At first, having a drink brings relief, but later
it can turn into a problem.
How to Recognize a Drinking Problem
Not everyone who drinks regularly has a
drinking problem. You might want to get help if you:
Drink to calm your nerves, forget your
worries, or reduce depression
Lose interest in food
Gulp your drinks down fast
Lie to try to hide your drinking habits
Drink alone more often
Hurt yourself, or someone else, while
drinking
Were drunk more than three or four times
last year
Need more alcohol to get
"high"
Feel irritable, resentful, or
unreasonable when you are not drinking
Have medical, social, or financial
problems caused by drinking
Getting Help
Older problem drinkers have a very good
chance for recovery because once they decide to seek help, they usually
stay with treatment programs. You can begin getting help by calling your
family doctor or clergy member.
Your local health department or social
services agencies can also help.
Natural
Treatments:
Alcohol abuse damages the liver, pancreas,
intestines and brain. Reversing that damage begins when you stop drinking
and start eating a balanced diet that contains the Daily Values of certain
nutrients. Here's what doctors say you need. If you can't get these
amounts from your diet, a general multivitamin/mineral supplement may
help.
Disclaimer: This information is intended as a guide only. This information isoffered to you with the
understanding that it not be interpreted as medical or professional advice.
All
medical information needs to be carefully reviewed with your health care
provider.