As you get older, your body is less able to break down alcohol. You are also more vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol.
Health problems
There is no safe level of alcohol for your health. The more you drink, the bigger the risk of alcohol-related problems. This risk can also increase over time.
As you get older, your body changes and you break down alcohol more slowly. This means alcohol can have a more damaging effect on your body than when you were younger.
Alcohol can cause many health problems, such as:
Too much alcohol can also make health conditions worse.
These include, for example:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- osteoporosis (weakened bones)
Reduce your risk of harm
Reduce your risk of alcohol-related harm.
Stick to the recommended weekly low-risk guidelines.
The less you drink, the lower your risk of harm from alcohol.
Brain functions
Alcohol also affects brain functions more as you get older. This can include increased problems with coordination, memory and judgement.
This can put you more at risk of:
- falls
- road traffic incidents
- safety problems, such as forgetting to turn off electrical appliances or lock doors
You are also more at risk of being exploited or abused by someone if your judgement is affected by alcohol.
Alcohol-related accidents and injuries
Mental health
Sometimes people drink alcohol to relieve feelings of:
- loneliness
- sadness
- stress
- worry
While alcohol may make you feel better for a little while, it is not a healthy way to cope. The feelings of anxiety and depression will come back again, often worse than before.
Talk to your GP or a healthcare worker if you are finding it hard to cope. They may be able to help you explore difficult emotions and ways to deal with them.
How alcohol affects your mental health
Activities with other people to improve mental health
Tolerance
Your tolerance to alcohol lowers as you get older. This means alcohol has a greater effect on your body and mind.
Increased tolerance could be a sign of alcohol dependence.
Talk to your GP if you notice you are drinking more or you are worried about alcohol dependence.
Tips to avoid alcohol tolerance
Alcohol and medicine
Alcohol can interfere with your medicines.
It can cause some medicines to:
- stop working properly
- have increased effects - for example, it can make the sedative effect of tranquillisers much stronger
Ask your GP or pharmacist about medicines you take or are starting to take. They can tell you if it is safe to drink alcohol with them.
What you can do to drink less
It is never too late to cut back or stop drinking. You are likely to feel some health benefits within weeks.
If you want to drink less:
- talk to your GP if you need advice about how to cut back or stop drinking
- get support to stop drinking alcohol
- read our tips for drinking less
- try activities that you might like that do not involve alcohol
- get involved in the community, volunteer or join a group
If you are worried about an older person's drinking
It can be easy to miss the signs that alcohol is causing harm. You may mistake them for other problems.
Non-urgent advice: Get help with problem alcohol use
For confidential advice, freephone 1800 459 459.
Signs that alcohol is causing harm to an older person include:
- problems sleeping
- problems with memory, thinking or concentration
- frequent falls and unexplained bruising
- low mood or anxiety
- incontinence (pee without meaning to)
- urinary retention (when you cannot fully empty your bladder)
- poor hygiene and self-neglect
- unexplained nausea and vomiting
- changes in eating habits
- confusion
- tremors (shaking), poor coordination, problems with balance
- seizures (fits)
Explore why an older person is using alcohol
Common reasons for an older person to drink alcohol include:
- trying to cope with loss or grief
- trying to cope with a loss of career or social status
- social isolation, loneliness and boredom
- dealing with getting older
- losing independence or self-esteem
- feeling more frail or unwell
- trying to cope with caring for someone else
- having physical problems - disability, pain, trouble sleeping
- trying to cope with moving into residential care
Find healthier ways to help and support them
Find out about services for older people in their area, including:
Help them to develop interests and activities that do not involve alcohol, including:
- taking up a new hobby - find recreational activities in their area
- finding opportunities to socialise or volunteer
- rediscovering interests and activities they had in the past
Help them get medical advice for physical problems. This may stop them ‘self-medicating’ with alcohol.
Offer company, practical support and a listening ear.