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.
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