Medicine and Alcohol Misuse

Mental Health Information

Medicine and Alcohol Misuse

MEDICINE AND ALCOHOL MISUSE CAN HAPPEN UNINTENTIONALLY
It’s important to know if you’re having a problem.

Abuse of alcohol and legal drugs - prescribed and over-the-counter - is an "invisible epidemic" that affects up to 17% of adults age 60 or older.
Source: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)

What puts older adults at risk for alcohol and medication misuse/abuse?

• Older adults are more sensitive to alcohol than younger adults.
• Alcohol can interact with some prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• Alcohol can be especially risky for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease and dementia.
• Alcohol can cause or make health problems worse and can contribute to falls, trouble sleeping and heart problems.
• If you take sleeping pills, pain pills or pills for anxiety (nerves), alcohol can be especially dangerous.

Talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before you drink alcohol.
You can watch for signs of a medication or alcohol problem, such as:

• Poor memory
• Accidents or getting hurt
• Sleeping problems
• Feeling depressed