Alcohol Abuse and Addiction in Older People

While alcohol misuse is often associated with younger adults, it is important to recognize that older adults can also develop alcohol-related problems. Alcohol abuse in older people, also known as late-onset alcoholism or elderly alcoholism, is a growing public health concern. It is defined as excessive and harmful drinking in individuals over 65 years of age. In recent years, it has been observed that the number of older adults consuming alcohol at harmful levels has been significantly increased, and this trend is expected to continue as the population ages. There are various reasons why older people may turn to alcohol abuse, including loneliness, social isolation, depression, anxiety, and stress related to retirement, loss of loved ones, or declining health. Moreover, older individuals are more prone to the negative effects of alcohol due to metabolic alterations related to aging and distribution of body mass in different compartments, liver function, other physical and cognitive factors, which can exacerbate the risks of falls, accidents, and chronic diseases. Effective interventions and strategies are needed to prevent and treat alcohol abuse in older adults, such as screening and brief interventions, peer support, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.