When you can’t reach for a drink, you might feel unfocused or irritated. Alcohol abuse in older people has become more common in the past few decades. Alcohol is now the most abused substance among people over 65. Alcoholism is often overlooked or misdiagnosed in older people. Depressive symptoms like insomnia, mood swings, and anxiety can mimic those of alcoholism.

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The study looked at the genetics of nearly a quarter of a million people in the U.K., focusing on telomeres, the protective cap at the end of chromosomes. Telomeres stop damage to DNA during cell division but get shorter every time, offering less protection. Eventually, they are so degraded that the cell dies as it can no longer divide. Several previous studies have found non-linear changes in molecular abundances that can be linked to aging in rats and humans. Studies of fruit flies, mice, and zebrafish have also pointed does drinking alcohol make you age faster to a stepwise aging process in those species.

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This suggests “a necessary minimum amount of alcohol consumption is required to damage telomeres,” according to the authors. Despite the fleeting euphoric sensation that comes with a buzz, drinking alcohol won’t help you cope with the stressful challenges that often come with aging. However, there are healthier ways to manage stress and boost your emotional resilience.

How Does Alcohol Affect the Aging Process?

The shortening causes our DNA to become damaged, leading to the risk of developing illnesses like Alzheimer’s and heart disease, especially in our later years. Chronic alcohol use also can damage the brain and exacerbate the effects of certain diseases. Research has shown that excessive alcohol use can diminish white matter in the brain. White matter lies under the brain’s gray matter and is the network of nerve fibers that transmit information throughout the brain. A chief reason for these more damaging effects is changes in the liver — the primary organ that processes alcohol when it’s consumed. Older people are not able to metabolize alcohol as well as younger people because of a decrease in the activation level of specific liver enzymes.

Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

• Ria Health offers several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder.
• But that system may indicate you’re still planning on drinking too much in one session and risking harm to your liver.
• Studies have linked shorter telomeres to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer and cardiovascular disease, which become more prevalent in people as they age.
• “Talking with a physician can help people understand their personal risk factors and determine a course of action that is best for them and their long-term health.”
• Considering the mounting evidence of harmful effects of alcohol use, and the fact that many individuals stop drinking as they age, the effect of light to moderate drinking on epigenetic aging needs to be interpreted cautiously.
• With patience, effort, and support, you can help your aging parent find health, joy, and satisfaction in their later years.
• If being around a certain friend triggers your cravings, you can suggest outings that don’t involve drinking.

Weston says, ‘physically it can affect mood, appetite, weight, libido, as well as cause a spike in insulin levels which are like those caused by poor diet. Most alcohol is also high in sugar and just as the food you eat can affect your mood, memory and behaviour, so can alcohol. Some interactions between alcohol and medication can be life-threatening.