How Alcohol Affects Older People

A variety of factors can influence the manner in which alcohol affects different people. One of the most oft-overlooked of these factors is one that has considerable impact: age.

Obviously, as we age our body goes through myriad changes – many of which can be dramatically exacerbated by the presence of alcohol. For example, slowed reaction times, impaired coordination, vision deficiencies, and a lowered tolerance to alcohol can all result in serious ramifications for elderly individuals who drink alcohol:

• In addition to being subjected to the impact of aging itself, older individuals are also much more likely to be taking multiple types of medications, some or all of which may interact with alcohol in manners that are detrimental to the body.
• In some cases, the presence of alcohol may even dilute the effectiveness of the medication, which can put the individuals health at risk.
• Excessive drinking can also worsen conditions such as high blood pressure, ulcers, or heart disease, all of which are not uncommon among older individuals.

Because of these and many other reasons, older men and women are advised to adhere to the advice of health experts who advocate limiting oneself to no more than one alcoholic drink each day.

Alcohol and Medication

Well over 100 types of medication are known to interact negatively with alcohol. Some of these interactions may produce relatively minor effects such as drowsiness, while others can literally be life-threatening.

Because the effectiveness of a medication is dependent upon a number of variables – including the age, weight, gender, and condition of the patient who is taking the pills, as well as the presence of any other medicines in the patient’s body – it would be virtually impossible to compile a comprehensive list of the ways in which every medication reacts to the presence of alcohol.

The best advice for all patients – especially elderly individuals who are taking a variety of medications – is to consult with your health care provider about how alcohol will affect your body. Even apparently harmless medications such as over-the-counter cold capsules can be damaging if taken in combination with alcohol. Drinking alcohol without discussing potential effects with your doctor isn’t just a dangerous decision – it could be a deadly one.

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism