Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a noteworthy problem in the elderly and one that is often undiagnosed, resulting in increasing emotional, physical, and social consequences. It is estimated that AUD troubles about 1% to 3% of the ageing, but in management settings such as doctors’ offices and emergency departments, it may be 10 times more recurrent. Studies from primary care settings show that alcohol difficulties exist in 10% to 15% of older adults, 50% of those hospitalized in psychiatric division and about 30% of hospitalized older adults in general medicine. Current studies show that although the huge majority of those with alcohol use disorder see their doctors frequently for a range of issues, less than 1 in 10 ever gets treatment for drinking.

AUD is a noteworthy problem in the elderly, and as this section of the population continues to grow, we can assume to see more elderly patients with AUD. Older adults are likely to practise more problems with comparatively small amounts of alcohol use due to changes in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of alcohol, resulting in higher blood-alcohol levels. These are connected to reductions in body water and body mass with age, hence a smaller volume of distribution, increased sensitivity, and slower metabolism. Furthermore, many older adults tend to have multiple comorbidities such as hypertension, other cardiovascular problems, and diabetes that can worsen with chronic alcohol use, as well as having drug-drug interactions from multiple medications

Source: Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine August 2021, 88 (8) 434-439; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.88a.20123