Alcoholism can Attack at Any Age
But Honey, it’s Just One Glass
Jennifer doesn’t remember ever seeing her mom, Lois, drunk – or even tipsy. “She drank socially, but never more than a glass or two of wine.” That is, until recently. Now whenever Jennifer stops by her mom’s house in the evening, Lois, who’s a 72-year-old widow, is drinking. “She likes red wine. And she says she likes to just have one glass. But she doesn’t use wine glasses,” Jennifer says. “They’re these big plastic iced tea tumblers. And my mom gets looped.” Although Lois is retired and doesn’t drive at night, Jennifer still worries that her mom might fall and hurt herself.
A Boom in Substance Abuse
Jennifer is not alone. And neither is Lois, for that matter. According to recent studies, substance abuse in the elderly is on the rise, currently affecting about 17 percent of those 60 years or older in the U.S. That number is expected to double in the next decade. After all, the baby boomers are getting up there.
The Bodies, They are a Changin’…
There are many reasons why the elderly are susceptible to alcoholism. First, metabolism changes with age. The older body has less water, and therefore one drink drives up the blood alcohol level higher in an older person than it does in someone younger. In addition, the stomach and liver make less of the enzyme Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH), which breaks down the alcohol in the stomach, so more alcohol is delivered to the liver for metabolism. Because the liver can’t metabolize the extra alcohol very quickly, the alcohol blood levels increase. In other words, it takes a lot less whiskey to make grandpa drunk now than it did 20 or 30 years ago.
Add Medications to the Mix
Furthermore, the need for medications tends to increase with age. Most people over 65 take at least two prescription drugs. Mixing drugs and alcohol can exacerbate the effects of each.
Loss is a Side-Effect of Aging
Then there’s the fact that as life goes on, in some respects it often gets more difficult. Older people have to deal with the deaths of more friends and loved ones. They may have to retire from a job that held a lot of meaning or prestige for them. They may have to move out of their home. They may have serious physical or mental health issues, such as depression. Or they may be facing lonely days and nights without their spouse of many years – as Lois is – and turn to drinking for escape.
Tough to Recognize
Yet, as common as it is, alcoholism and other substance abuse in the elderly often goes unrecognized. Patients lie about how much they drink. Doctors overlook many of the symptoms because they mirror other age-related problems such as dementia and balance impairment. Or, the doctor may just think an elderly person can’t be successfully treated for alcoholism, which isn’t true, especially if it’s late onset.
Family members and caregivers, too, might be tempted to overlook the problem. They might say, “This late in life, Dad doesn’t have to be at work in the morning. He doesn’t drive. He’s not hurting anyone.”
Serious Repercussions
He is hurting himself; the health effects of alcoholism can be deadly, and especially for the elderly, who are already dealing with health issues. Alcoholism can cause cirrhosis and other liver diseases, cardiac myopathy, anemia, falls and bone fractures, dementia – and much more. In fact, alcohol is toxic to almost every organ system in the body.
How to Help
If you suspect that your parent or loved one is abusing alcohol or another substance, talk to them. There are support groups and other help available. There’s evidence that older people respond to treatment just as well, if not better, than younger people do. Also, be sure to speak with their doctors and make sure they are aware of the problem.
Jennifer decided to broach the subject with her mom Lois, who at first was angry. “She wouldn’t speak to me for weeks. But then one day, she called me out of the blue,” Jennifer says. “She asked me about that support group I’d mentioned. She started going, and not only did she quit drinking, her health improved, and she has a whole social network of new friends now.”
Of course, not everyone responds as quickly and easily as Lois, who was in the very early stages of alcoholism. But know that there has been a societal attitude shift about alcohol away from shame. People tend to be more knowledgeable now about the benefits of treatment, and are more open about seeking help. See www.seniorsinsobriety.org for meetings in your loved one’s area.
