Aging and Alcohol: What You Need to Know
By Nicolas Chronos, MD, FACC, FESC
As we grow older, many things change, our bodies, our routines, even our tolerance for certain foods and medications. One area often overlooked is how aging affects our relationship with alcohol. Whether it’s an occasional glass of wine or regular cocktails with friends, alcohol can have different and sometimes surprising effects on older adults.
At Lake Country Medical Group, we often talk about proactive health. And being informed about alcohol and aging is an important part of staying well.
How Aging Changes Alcohol’s Effects
As we age, our bodies metabolize alcohol more slowly. That means alcohol stays in your system longer. In addition, older adults tend to have less water in their bodies, which causes blood alcohol content to rise more quickly than it did in younger years. Even if drinking the same amount.
This means you may feel the effects of alcohol more strongly or more quickly than you’re used to, putting you at higher risk for falls, car accidents, and other unintentional injuries.
Alcohol, Medications, and Chronic Conditions
As we age, it’s common to manage more than one health condition and with that often comes a list of daily medications. What many people don’t realize is that alcohol can interact dangerously with both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. For example:
- Blood pressure medications combined with alcohol can lower your blood pressure too much.
- Sedatives and sleep aids mixed with alcohol can cause excessive drowsiness or slowed breathing.
- Diabetes medications can lead to dangerously low blood sugar when combined with alcohol.
But interactions aren’t limited to medications. Alcohol can also worsen chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, liver disease, diabetes, ulcers, osteoporosis, memory loss, and depression. Even moderate drinking can make managing these conditions more difficult.
That’s why it’s so important to take a comprehensive approach to your health. At Lake Country Medical Group, our Chronic Care Management (CCM) Program is specifically designed to support patients living with multiple ongoing conditions. Through monthly check-ins, medication reviews, and personalized care coordination, we help you stay on track and help you better understand how lifestyle choices like alcohol use may impact your treatment plan.
Your health doesn’t pause between visits, and neither do we. If you’re managing two or more chronic conditions and not enrolled in our CCM program, you could be missing out on an exceptional level of support – completely covered by insurance. We’re here to help you stay healthier, longer.
Is It Alcohol Misuse or Something Else?
Sometimes, alcohol misuse in older adults goes unnoticed. What may look like forgetfulness or mood changes could actually be signs of alcohol-related problems. These may include:
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Depression or anxiety
- Irritability or confusion
- Unexplained bruises or falls
If you or a loved one are experiencing these signs, it’s worth having an honest conversation with your doctor.
What’s Considered “Safe” Drinking?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), adults aged 65 and older should not have more than seven drinks in a week and no more than three drinks on any one day.
But keep in mind—those numbers don’t apply to everyone. Factors like health conditions, medications, and personal tolerance levels may lower those limits. The safest path is individualized care and guidance from your medical team.
There’s Help and There’s Hope
If you’re concerned about your alcohol use, or a loved one’s, help is available. At Lake Country Medical Group, we offer support without judgment. Our team can help you assess your risk and provide referrals or treatment options if needed.
Aging well is about making informed decisions and that includes decisions about alcohol.
We are always here to help.
706-485-4004
www.lakecountrymedicalgroup.com
To learn more about our Chronic Care Management Program (Connected Care Institute) click this link – https://lakecountrymedicalgroup.com/services/connected-care-management
Dr. Nicolas Chronos
Cardiologist & Internal Medicine Specialist
Lake Country Medical Group