Alcohol Abuse Among the Elderly Essay

Alcohol abuse among the elderly is a far-flung problem through the United States. It is hard to disc over by physicians and aesculapian providers, because many of these people have been abusing alcohol secretly for years. The population is exceedingly unlikely to admit that they have problems with alcohol, especially during a routine health care visit. As many as 15% of the population over 65 may be heavy drinkers, although this number is hard to capitulation down. Elderly people usually drink due to depression, loneliness and wish of social support.Most alcohol abuse comes from a lifetime write up whereas others sire deluge drinking patterns later in life. Alcoholism accounts for more(prenominal) than 15% of health care costs in the elderly. It is associated with an estimated 100,000 deaths per year in the United States. Alcohol consumption can produce both benefits and risks. In terms of benefits, men who drink two to six alcoholic beverages per hebdomad have decreased mo rtality rate rates and level cardiovascular infirmity when compared with abstainers.On the negative side, two studies of 300,000 men demonstrated increased mortality among those consuming more than 2 to 3 drinks daily. Women, are more bear on by less alcohol than men, perhaps because they have a lower blood volume, and so its distribution and decreased activity for stomachic alcohol dehydrogenase are increased. The primary care physician plays an important business office in making the diagnosis and in helping the cured alcoholic receive proper medical and psychological care.As patients grow older, and develop conditions that require prescription and over the counter medications, opportunities for dangerous alcohol/ drug interactions increase. Elderly patients should be encouraged to monitor their alcohol intake so that it does not conflict with their medications. When a problem is identified, begin by hash out patients and the family. Increased social support may be all that is need to stop excessive alcohol consumption by some older patients. Reference Butler, Robert (June, 1998) Alcoholism and the later years. Geriatrics pg. 1-2.