We normally expect members of the younger population to engage in risky drinking, but new evidence suggests that a growing number of seniors is also a part of this alarming trend. While many Americans consume alcohol, some feel the impact more than others. Similar to adolescents, the elderly may be more vulnerable to the dangerous effects of excess alcohol consumption.
According to a recent MNT report, of those who have reached retirement age, 13 percent of males and 8 percent of females admit to drinking in a fashion that could result in harm. Researchers from Baylor University have uncovered that even in relatively small amounts, alcohol can be dangerous for older people, causing problems with memory, learning, and coordination. Not surprisingly, the result has been an increased number of falls and other accidents as well as forgetting to take important (and sometimes lifesaving) medications.
Though both young people and seniors are particularly susceptible to alcohol misuse, research shows that the older generation is at greatest risk of impairment. The Baylor study is groundbreaking in that it’s the first to define a baseline for the acute impact of alcohol use on the elderly, which helps explain the neurobiology behind their heightened sensitivity to the drug.
One of the study authors, Dr. Jim Diaz-Granados, who also serves as chair of the department of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor says that there are many cognitive and behavioral changes that occur naturally with age. This explains why consumption by the aged results in a different alcohol-induced effect on the brain.
Investigators hope that the results will help pave the way for future research on the subject and aid in determining the long-term effects of alcohol misuse. With this information, the public can be properly educated with regard to alcohol’s risks on the elderly.
Do you or somebody you know engage in risky drinking behaviors? Learn the facts about alcohol use and age. Your local Family Guidance Center has more information on substance abuse programs as well as trained counselors who will assist your loved ones in working through difficult emotions, which often underlie contribute to dependency.
