Older adults are susceptible to alcoholism simply because of age associated changes in body chemistry and composition. And a recent study has documented a significant rise in drinking problems at retirement. The AMA estimates that about 3 million Americans over age 60 have a drinking problem.
Alcohol is also a factor in up to half of all hospitalizations.
But if the patient is older, doctors overlook drinking as an underlying cause of illness in about two thirds of the cases. Older adults need to be aware that aging affects alcohol tolerance. For example, older adults usually have a lower body-water content than younger people, and this makes a given amount of alcohol more concentrated. As a result, older adults become intoxicated after fewer drinks, and their organs and body tissues can be damaged by smaller quantities of alcohol. Also, alcohol is an addictive effect with about half of the 100 drugs frequently used by older adults.