The Prevalence of Harmful and Hazardous Alcohol Consumption in Older U.S. Adults: Data from the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption and its interaction with disease, medication use, and functional status may result in serious health problems, but little information exists about the national prevalence of alcohol-related health risk in older adults. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of harmful and hazardous alcohol use and the prevalence of consumption in excess of National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recommendations, in people aged 65 and older, and by sex and race/ethnicity sub-group. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, using data from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of the non-institutionalized U.S. population. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand and eighty-three respondents aged 65 and older who consume alcohol. MAIN MEASURES: Participants' alcohol consumption was classified as Harmful, Hazardous, or Healthwise, in the context of their specific health status, using the Alcohol-Related Problems Survey classification algorithm. KEY RESULTS: Overall, 14.5 % of older drinkers (95 % CI: 12.1 %, 16.8 %) consumed alcohol above the NIAAA's recommended limits. However, when health status was taken into account, 37.4 % of older drinkers (95 % CI: 34.9 %, 40.0 %) had Harmful consumption and 53.3 % (95 % CI: 50.1 %, 56.6 %) had either Hazardous or Harmful consumption. Among light/moderate drinkers, the proportions were 17.7 % (95 % CI: 14.7 %, 20.7 %) and 28.0 % (95 % CI: 24.8 %, 31.1 %), respectively. Male drinkers had significantly greater odds of Hazardous/ Harmful consumption than female drinkers (OR=2.14 [95 % CI: 1.77, 2.6]). Black drinkers had worse health status and significantly greater odds of Hazardous/ Harmful consumption than white drinkers (OR=1.49; 95 % CI: 1.02, 2.17), despite having no greater prevalence of drinking in excess of NIAAA-recommended limits. CONCLUSION: Most older Americans who drink are light/moderate drinkers, yet substantial proportions of such drinkers drink in a manner that is either harmful or hazardous to their health. Older adults with risky alcohol

Alcohol and other substance use, mental health treatment use, and perceived unmet treatment need: Comparison between baby boomers and older adults

“…20 Older adults with health problems tend to reduce substance use, and ex-drinker older adults tend to include "sick quitters" who may have quit drinking due to health/mental health and alcoholrelated problems over the course of their lives 21 However, significant numbers of older adults continue to engage in harmful/hazardous drinking behaviors. 22 Given aging-and disease-related physiological changes, even relatively low levels of alcohol or drug use may exacerbate health and MH problems in older adults. [23][24][25] Alcohol-and drug-related problems that do not meet SUD criteria may also pose barriers to seeking MH services as older adults may use these substances to cope with MH problems, and substance use/ misuse can compromise MH treatment outcomes.…”

Rotarian’s perception on substances alcohol consumption Percepção de rotarianos sobre o consumo de substâncias alcoólicas

“…2 2 In the context of drug consumption, the media is indicated as a contributory factor for the naturalization of alcohol consumption, as revealed by the following statements:…”

“…2 2 The speeches also highlight the concern about alcohol consumption, as it is considered a gateway to other drugs. 1 In general, the descriptions reveal the complexity of the alcohol consumption phenomenon, whose influence is the sociocultural, political, economic, ethical-legal context, among other dimensions.…”

“…1 In the United States, a study showed that 34.7% of older adults had a harmful consumption pattern and 17.9% of them reported drinking daily, or almost daily. 2 In Brazil, the situation has not been different; a research developed by the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (NADS), in partnership with other agencies, detected that in 2005, 12.3% of Brazilians surveyed between 12 and 65 years of age were found to be alcohol dependents, and 74.6% %, had already consumed in the social sphere. 3 In the state of São Paulo, a study with adolescents from public schools found that 55.3% of the boys and 61.6% of the girls had already consumed alcoholic beverages.…”

Capsule Commentary on Wilson et al., The Prevalence of Harmful and Hazardous Alcohol Consumption in U.S. Older Adults

“…1 Based on the amount consumed, they found that 15 % of older drinkers exceeded recommended limits, but when other health characteristics were taken into account, drinking was potentially harmful in over one-third of those who drank. Wilson's findings are not new; they are similar to results reported in previous studies that included both the amount and the subject's health characteristics in judging the healthiness of drinking.…”