What is Misuse/Abuse?

As we grow older, our bodies are less able to handle alcohol safely. Alcohol related problems, including interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medications, account for most of the known substance-related problems experienced by older adults. If you are 65 and older you consume more prescribed and over-the-counter medications than any other age group in the United States. In fact, on average this age group takes at least two medicines per day. Prescription drug misuse and abuse is prevalent among those of you over 65 because more drugs are prescribed to you and aging makes your body more vulnerable to drugs' effects. Taking alcohol with any over-the- counter or prescription drug may carry risks, which would indicate that you are misusing alcohol, or perhaps even abusing alcohol.

Drinking alcohol can be medically hazardous to the aged population even if the frequency and amount of consumption do not warrant a formal diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. One way to gage if you are misusing alcohol is to consider how you are using alcohol. For example,

• if you tend to drink because you are nervous
• if you drink as a way of coping with depression
• to help control pain

you may be misusing alcohol.

It is important to note that everyone who enjoys a drink regularly may not be abusing alcohol, and those who drink "only occasionally" may be misusing alcohol.

A standard drink is:

• one can (12 oz.) of beer or ale
• a single shot (1.5 oz.) of hard liquor
• a glass (5oz.) of wine
• a small glass (4oz.) of sherry or liqueur