Alcohol and the Aging Process

There are many potential reasons to cut down on or to stop drinking.

A 2021 survey suggests that more than half of Americans over the age of 50 enjoyed alcohol at least once in the past year. Because drinking is such a common activity, it’s not always easy to tell when moderate alcohol use progresses into alcohol misuse or abuse. Over time, drinking can make it more difficult for you to overcome any of these aging challenges. You might find that alcohol use further limits an already-tight budget, deepens your sense of grief, or accelerates a physical or mental health condition.

Related Content

Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. By doing things that add joy and meaning to your life, you can ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and also boost the feel-good chemicals in your brain that promote long-term happiness.

Since many older adults begin drinking more to cope with the challenges of aging they may feel defensive about the topic. Your loved one is much more likely to be receptive to support that is positive and non-judgmental. Many people over the age of 65 deal with some type of chronic pain. Since alcohol can temporarily relieve this discomfort, some seniors may begin drinking more frequently than they intended, as a type of pain management. These life changes can lead to boredom, stress, sadness, and a host of other difficult emotions that can increase the urge to drink. This might be especially true for those who struggled with alcohol earlier in their lives.

Negative Effects of Alcohol Consumption

In addition, mixing alcohol and antidepressants is as dangerous as mixing alcohol and pain medication, so older adults who are being treated for depression may want to abstain. Drinking alcohol can also aggravate co-occurring health conditions in older adults. Older people have a higher tendency for heart problems and stomach problems, such as ulcers, and drinking can make these worse.

• For example, it can lead to liver damage, cancer, immune disorders, and brain damage.
• Adults of all ages who drink alcohol and drive are at higher risk of traffic accidents than those who do not drink.
• To take the first step in the right direction, contact us today.
• One night of heavy drinking can make your wrinkles more evident.
• In addition, mixing alcohol and antidepressants is as dangerous as mixing alcohol and pain medication, so older adults who are being treated for depression may want to abstain.
• Alcohol can affect the way your body fights off life-threatening illnesses like tuberculosis or pneumonia.

By learning what your triggers are, it can allow you to start making changes in your life that don’t put you in difficult situations. For example, you might choose to cut down on trips to a restaurant that serves alcohol. If being around a certain friend triggers your cravings, you can suggest outings that don’t involve drinking.

What Effects Does Drug Use Have on Aging?

Dr. Jeffery Landsman is a primary care physician at Mercy Personal Physicians in Lutherville, Maryland. He is triple board-certified in family medicine, lifestyle medicine and geriatrics, providing care to an array of patients ages 18 and older. Dr. Landsman also has an extensive background and interest in geriatric care. He helps patients manage chronic conditions in a patient-centered approach, with a goal of maximizing their quality of life and independence.

The effects of alcohol on aging can also be more serious. Symptoms can include rashes, dryness, bumps, peeling, and more. A study done with nearly 100 psoriasis patients showed that 17% to 30% had serious alcohol use problems. When you consume alcohol beyond these amounts, your health does alcohol make you look older risks increase. The World Health Organization (WHO) established the following daily levels to help you determine whether your drinking habits could be putting your health at risk. Watching an aging parent or other loved one struggle with a drinking habit can be a painful experience.

It’s now possible to access everything you need, from coaching sessions to expert medical advice, without ever leaving your home. This revolutionary access to care can especially benefit those who are less mobile as they age. As the human body ages, it tends to become more sensitive to the effects of alcohol. Grieving the loss of a loved one can be a significant drinking trigger at any age.

Drinking alcohol on a regular basis leads to widened blood vessels in the face. With time, this leads to loss of skin tone and a permanent red color. Also, a person may have heightened risks of developing skin infections. There are just as many negative invisible body changes that can occur due to heavy drinking as there are visible body changes.

Overcoming Addiction: Find an effective path toward recovery

For example, you may notice unexplained weight gain or changes in your skin. In some cases, you may even notice that minor ailments due to alcohol consumption are now becoming more serious. Some types of dementia and alcohol-related brain damage develop as your brain cells shrink. Over time, heavy drinking can lead to loss of judgment, focus, and memory. You may have more trouble regulating your emotions or managing your coordination.

• Your skin becomes more sensitive to environmental influences and heals more slowly.
• As it changes the makeup and function of the gut microbiota, this drug induces oxidative stress.
• If you have grandkids, you could compile a family history or photo albums to pass down to them.
• Because alcohol makes you more likely to do things that you might not otherwise do, consuming it can interfere with an otherwise healthy diet.
• Furthermore, chronic heavy drinking often causes extreme damage to internal organs.
• Practices such as mindfulness meditation, visualization, and deep breathing exercises can help to combat stress without turning to alcohol.

Large-scale research suggests that drinking alcohol in older age may lower mortality risk. However, the scientists are cautious about potential biases in their own research and say that more research is necessary. Weight loss is one of many reasons to consume alcohol more mindfully or stop altogether. Keep a close eye on how much you drink, the type of drinks you most enjoy, and ways it can affect your eating habits.