Did you know? As You Age, Alcohol Affects You Differently.

As we age, changes in the body such as lower water content, less-efficient metabolism and excretion and increased brain sensitivity may cause alcohol and other drugs to have a stronger effect.

1. Your alcohol tolerance decreases. 

   Aging lowers the body’s tolerance for alcohol, meaning you can become intoxicated and impaired with fewer drinks.  This can put you at higher risk for falls and other injuries and health problems.

2. Alcohol can make your health problems worse. 

   Alcohol can make common health problems worse, such as diabetes, liver problems, memory problems, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, mood disorders and heart disease. 

3. Alcohol can interact with your medications. 

   Many prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and herbal remedies can be harmful or even deadly when mixed with alcohol. Alcohol can prevent some medications from working or increase its potency. Medications prescribed for pain, sleep or anxiety can be especially dangerous when mixed with alcohol.  Before taking any medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can safely drink alcohol. 

4. Alcohol can increase your risk of injury.
   
   In older adults, especially, too much alcohol can lead to balance problems and falls, which can result in hip or arm fractures and other injuries. Older people have thinner bones than younger people, so their bones break more easily. Studies show that the rate of various types of fractures in older adults increases with heavy alcohol use.

No more than one drink a day
For healthy adults age 65 and over, drinking more than one drink a day puts you at risk of serious health problems.

What is one drink?  
It can be complicated to figure what constitutes a "drink."   This alcohol drink size calculator can be useful to help you figure it out.  

Talk it Out
If you have pre-existing health conditions or take certain medications, talk to your doctor about drinking less — or not at all.

If you’re concerned about yourself or an older person you love, get help now at VT Helplink, 802-565-LINK, & online at vthelplink.org. 

Find more information about alcohol and aging here.  

Sources:
https://www.healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugs/health-professionals/substance-use-and-older-adults

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alcohol-misuse-or-alcohol-use-disorder/facts-about-aging-and-alcohol