Effects of Alcohol Abuse Among the Elderly
The latest research clearly shows that in older people, the metabolism of alcohol and other substances proceeds somewhat differently than in younger age groups. This is influenced by physiological changes in liver function. Seniors and elderly people are therefore even more exposed to the adverse effects of alcohol consumption. Let us also remember that older people are more frequently at risk of developing other conditions, such as dementia or cognitive impairment. Moreover, older people are undoubtedly the largest consumers of medications. Medications, as is known, enter into numerous chemical interactions both with each other and with alcohol substances themselves. These, in turn, can interact both with each other and with alcohol. In such cases, these medications can weaken their effect and simply stop working effectively, and in the worst case — cause death or permanent organ damage. Read also: Which medications cannot be combined with alcohol? It is also worth keeping in mind that the same dose of alcohol carries different consequences for different age groups. A dose relatively harmless for a younger person may threaten the health and even life of an elderly person.Alcoholism in the Elderly — Statistics
According to a survey conducted by the Medical University in Lublin, all surveyed elderly people in the age group 65+ occasionally drink alcohol. None of the respondents declared abstinence. Occasional drinking was declared by 83.6% of respondents, and several times a week — 16.4%. This means that although the consumption of alcoholic substances indeed decreases with age, it is still a common phenomenon. Women statistically drink less alcohol than men, but their chance of starting to drink at an older age — and thus falling into alcoholism — is higher. Additionally, this chance increases significantly in the case of single women.Why Do Older People and Seniors Turn to Alcohol?
In the case of older people, as well as younger ones, the main factor leading to alcohol consumption is the inability to cope with the situation in which they find themselves. However, in the case of older people, this problem is somewhat different. Especially people who have transitioned from full activity to retirement age are at risk. The results of research conducted by POLSenior show disturbing results. In the group of people over 65 years of age, over 26% of respondents showed symptoms of depression, which also contributes to the development of addictions, including alcoholism.Addiction in Older People — How to Recognize
The development of addiction among people of both advanced age and younger, women and men differs. Women can fall into addiction in a significantly shorter time. In men, the development of full-blown addiction takes longer. Moreover, older people often also suffer from many other diseases accompanying addiction, which makes proper diagnosis even more difficult. However, it is worth paying attention to these symptoms:- Insomnia and sleep problems, mood swings, nervousness, anxiety, depression;
- Nausea and vomiting, seizures;
- Numerous minor body injuries or bruises, frequent falls, problems maintaining hygiene;
- Feeling of confusion, disorientation, memory problems;
- Demanding alcohol, frequent drinking.
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