AGING,

MEDICINES

and ALCOHOL

1

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment

www.samhsa.gov
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

AGING,

MEDICINES

and ALCOHOL

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As you get older, it’s important 

to take care of your health.

As we age, the need to take more, 

and different kinds of medication 

tends to increase. Also, growing 

older means that our bodies 

respond differently to alcohol and 

to medication than when we were 

younger.

You should be aware that:

• Some of your medicines won’t 

mix well with other medications, 

including over-the-counter 

medications and herbal 

remedies.

• Many medications do not mix well 

with alcohol.
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Because medicine and alcohol

misuse can happen unintentionally, it's important to know

if you're having a problem.

Here are some signals that may 

indicate an alcohol or 

medication-related problem:

• Memory trouble after having a

 drink or taking medicine

• Loss of coordination (walking

 unsteadily, frequent falls)

• Changes in sleeping habits

• Unexplained bruises

• Being unsure of yourself

• Irritability, sadness, depression

• Unexplained chronic pain

• Changes in eating habits 

• Wanting to stay alone a lot 

 of the time

• Failing to bathe or keep clean

• Having trouble finishing

 sentences

• Having trouble concentrating

• Difficulty staying in touch with

 family or friends

• Lack of interest in usual

 activities
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Share the right information

with your health care

professional:

 • Make a list for your doctor of all

 your medications (including

 doses), especially on your first

 visit. Keep it updated, and carry

 it with you.

 • Remind your doctor or pharmacist

 about any previous conditions

 that might affect your ability

 to take certain medicines, such

 as a stroke, hypertension,

 serious heart disease, liver

 problems or lung disease.

 • Don't be afraid to ask questions

 if you don't know the meaning 

 of a word, if instructions are

 unclear, or if you want more

 information.

 • Whenever possible, have your 

 doctor or a member of the

 medical staff give you written

 advice or instructions.
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

If you want to talk to a qualified care 

professional about alcohol and 

medications, a 24-hour hotline is 

available: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 

visit www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.

Acknowledgments

This brochure was produced under Contract 

Number 270-04-7049, by the Knowledge 

Application Program (KAP), a Joint Venture 

of Johnson, Bassin & Shaw, Inc., and The 

CDM Group, Inc., for the Center for 

Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) of the 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services 

(HHS). Christina Currier served as the 

Government Project Officer. The CDM 

Group, Inc., developed the original, 

English-language version of this product 

under Contract Number 270-99-7072. 

Andrea Kopstein, Ph.D., M.P.H., served as 

the Government Project Officer. This 

brochure was created to accompany the 

publication Substance Abuse Among Older 

Adults, #26 in CSAT’s Treatment 

Improvement Protocol (TIP) series. 
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Disclaimer

The content of this publication does 

not necessarily reflect the views or 

policies of CSAT, SAMHSA, or HHS. 

Public Domain Notice

All material appearing in this 

product is in the public domain and 

may be reproduced or copied 

without permission. Citation of the 

source is appreciated. However, this 

publication may not be reproduced 

or distributed for a fee without the 

specific, written authorization of 

the Office of Communications, 

SAMHSA, HHS.
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Electronic Access and Copies of 

Publication

This booklet, the TIP series, and its 

affiliated products are available 

free from SAMHSA’s National 

Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug 

Information (NCADI). Call 

1-800-729-6686 or 1-800-487-4889 

TDD (for the hearing impaired), or 

visit www.ncadi.samhsa.gov.