Alcohol Abuse Among the Elderly Population Alcohol abuse among the elderly is a widespread problem in the United States. It is difficult to find out from doctors and medical providers because many of these people have been secretly abusing alcohol for years. It is extremely unlikely that people will admit they have alcohol problems, especially during a routine medical visit. Up to 15% of the population over 65 could be heavy drinkers, although this figure is difficult to pin down. Older people typically drink because of depression, loneliness, and lack of social support. Most alcohol abuse stems from a lifelong history; while others develop drinking habits later in life. Alcohol accounts for more than 15% of health care costs among older adults. It is associated with approximately 100,000 deaths per year in the United States. Drinking alcohol can have both benefits and risks. In terms of benefits, men who drink two to six alcoholic drinks per week have a reduced mortality rate and cardiovascular disease compared to abstainers. On the negative side, two studies of 300,000 men demonstrated increased mortality among those who consumed more than 2 to 3 drinks per day. Women are more affected by lower alcohol consumption than men, perhaps because they have lower blood volume, leading to increased distribution and decreased activity of the gastric alcohol dehydrogenase. The primary care physician plays an important role in establishing the diagnosis and assisting in treatment. older alcoholics receive appropriate medical and psychological care. As patients age and develop conditions that require prescription and over-the-counter medications, the possibilities for dangerous interactions between alcohol and drugs increase...