The trends are worrisome. Even before the start of the pandemic in 2020, data showed that alcohol use among adults 65 and over was on the rise. Then the pandemic exacerbated this trend. According to data from the CDC, from 2020-2021 deaths due to alcohol were greater than 178,000, and approximately 38% of those deaths were among people 65 and older.  Moreover, drinking frequency and binge drinking among older adults are also on the rise, with older adults largely ignoring the toxicity that comes with frequent and substantial drinking habits. While the baby boomer generation has been known for its robust use of alcohol and other illicit substances, aging adults simply cannot handle alcohol the way younger adults can. Older bodies cannot tolerate and metabolize excessive alcohol consumption and older adults may put themselves at risk from even moderate alcohol intake. For more on these worrisome trends, take a drink of water and click here.

We’ve previously addressed some of the significant health problems that seniors who ingest alcohol may face. Whether it’s the risk of early death, accelerated biological aging, or damage to short-term memory, the effects of alcohol, especially as the quantity and frequency of drinking rises, can be serious and potentially life-threatening. Alcohol abuse among older adults can also lead to an increase in (potentially fatal) car crashes and it can exacerbate the risk of falling (and the serious injuries that can arise from falls). New research demonstrates that additional problems may result from drinking alcohol, even if done so in more modest amounts or with “safer” drinks such as red wine. For the record, the safety and health benefits that supposedly derive from red wine are largely unfounded, and a glass of red wine should be considered similar to drinking any other kind of alcohol.

Regarding newly discovered links between alcohol consumption and negative health consequences, researchers presented new data at the recent annual meeting of the American Physiological Society that among middle-aged adults (ages 50-64) heavy alcohol use is linked to an increase in Type 2 Diabetes. It is thought that such use can diminish liver and pancreatic functions, thereby affecting the control of blood sugar. Heavy use is considered 15 or more drinks per week for men and 8 or more drinks per week for women. You can read more about this study here. Another study, presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific session (but not yet published) reports on links between heavy alcohol use and coronary heart disease, especially in women. According to this research out of Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, women who report heavy alcohol use had a 45% increase in their risk of developing heart disease compared to women who only consumed moderate amounts of alcohol. For women who engage in binge drinking, that risk rises to a 68% greater likelihood of developing heart disease. Even women who drink modestly are still at higher risk than those who drink less. As one expert made clear, “Alcohol is actually a toxin to the heart…it raises blood pressure, increases the risk for heart rhythm problems, especially during times of binge drinking, is associated with an enlarged heart and is a toxin to the heart muscle.” For more on this finding of a perilous connection between alcohol and heart disease, especially in women, read here. And read here to further understand recent research connecting alcohol consumption and accelerated brain aging.

While older adults can benefit from treatments designed to curb excessive drinking, they are often not the recipients of such treatments. As experts explain, spotting alcohol use disorder or other problems with alcohol in older adults can be challenging, as older adults may be out of the workforce, living solo, or refraining from social situations where problems could be spotted. So loved ones need to keep a watch out for problems and health professionals need to inquire when seeing older patients. What can be done to reduce or even eliminate alcohol consumption risks in an older adult?  McMaster Optimal Aging recently published a series of tips to help facilitate this. Among their suggestions? Encourage slow drinking with a glass of water between alcoholic beverages; don’t drink on an empty stomach; before drinking, consult with your physician about interactions with medications you take; and completely avoid alcohol both before and after any kind of surgery. For additional ideas and resources to help curb consumption, sip that seltzer and look here.