CONTENTS

Table of Contents
Introduction

1. Overview
2. Alcohol
3. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
4. Barriers to Recognizing Problems
5. Signs and Symptoms of Misuse
6. Talking About Sensitive Issues
7. Assessing a Problem
8. Preventing Misuse
9. Intervention and Treatment

Supplements
Resources

Alcohol, Medication and Older Adults
For Those Who Care About or Care for an Older Adult

Life Changes Can Contribute to Alcohol Use by Older Adults

Older adults experience disruptive changes in their lives everyday. They may suffer losses due to retirement, relocation, widowhood, or death of close friends. Their role in the family may change from decisionmaking to dependency. Older adults may experience losses of vision, hearing, and balance; slowing mental functions; and chronic disease and disability.

All of these changes can lead to sadness, loneliness, frustration, isolation, inadequacy, loss of self-confidence, and depression. Any of these feelings can contribute to alcohol use. Older adults may experience several life-changing events at one time. If alcohol temporarily eases the pain or increases social interaction, it is easy to understand how use can quickly move to misuse and abuse.

As family members, friends, and caregivers, we cannot prevent the losses or the aging process. We can help older adults cope with these life events in positive ways that do not jeopardize their health.

Additional Factors That Can Contribute to Alcohol Use

Research shows general patterns of alcohol use in older adults. Here are factors related to alcohol problems in older adults:

Sleep Problems

Some people start using alcohol before going to bed because they are having trouble sleeping. Alcohol may help people fall asleep but does not improve sleep. In fact, many who drink alcohol before going to sleep may find they fall asleep faster, only to be awakened in the middle of the night. An interrupted night of sleep is not restful and can start a cycle of poor sleep habits. Older adults are also at risk for sleep apnea, a condition where one can stop breathing while sleeping, then be awakened by a gasp for air. Alcohol can cause this condition to worsen.

Gender

Men tend to drink more than women do. Women experience more negative effects of alcohol than men do. Women who drink tend to increase drinking later in life.

Family History of Substance Abuse

People who have or have had a family member with a substance abuse problem are more likely to experience a problem with alcohol or other drugs. People who had a substance abuse problem earlier in life are more likely to experience a relapse or recurrence as older adults.

Current or Past Psychiatric Disorder

People with psychiatric disorders are more likely to experience problems with drugs or alcohol. More women than men suffer from depression first and then use substances to alleviate the depression.