2007 – BD#1234

Getting Older ]Wiser:safer drinking

as you ageMassachusetts Department of Public Health

Office of Healthy Aging

produced by:The Massachusetts HealthPromotion Clearinghouse,The Medical Foundation

www.maclearinghouse.com

2007 – SA1051

design: Milk Row Studio

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Office of Healthy Aging

funded by:

8

Helpful tips to reduce drinking:

• Eat before and while you’re drinkingso that it takes longer for alcohol toget into your bloodstream.

• Drink a glass of water before havingalcohol. Alcohol causes your body tolose water, which can make you eventhirstier.

• Have a non-alcoholic drink, such assoda, juice, or water, for every alcoholicdrink you have. This will give your bodymore time to process the alcohol.

• Have one drink at a time – do notlet people “top off” your drinks.

• Dilute drinks with water, ice,club soda, or juice.

• Drink “virgin” cocktails, using non-alcoholic mixers without the liquor.

• Drink slowly – take sips. Try puttingyour glass down between sips ordoing something active, like dancing.

Knowing yourbody and your limitswill help you stayhealthy and keep upwith the things youenjoy most!

Because everyone’s body reactsto alcohol differently, it is importantto talk to your health care providerabout the pros and cons of drinking.This will help you decide what isbest for you.

Are you over 50?

Do you ever take prescriptionmedications?

Do you ever take over-the-countermedications, such as aspirinor pain relievers? 

Do you want to sleep better?

Do you drink alcohol – even justone drink now and then? 

If you said yes to any of these,then this guide is for you!This guide will give you the facts to help youknow your body and your limits when it comesto alcohol. If done the right way, many peoplecan drink more safely. This guide will helpyou think through what is best for you.

If you have a history of alcohol or othersubstance abuse, or think you might havea problem, not drinking any alcohol is thesafest choice. Talk to your health careprovider about what is best for you.

1

Every time you swallow a biteof sandwich or take a sip of coffee,your body works hard to processwhat you’ve eaten. Your body getsthe energy it needs from foodthrough a process calledmetabolism.

As we grow older, our body’smetabolism slows down. Thismakes it harder for us to processeverything we take in as fast aswe used to. Because of this,alcohol stays in our bodies longerand at higher amounts.

Older women need to beespecially careful. Women'sbodies are less able to break downalcohol. Women are affected byalcohol faster than men.

Being aware of the changes inyour body can help you decidewhat is right for you.

2

Does age affect my ability to drink alcohol?

Metabolism is a groupof reactions that takeplace in the body.It changes the foodwe eat into theenergy necessary foreverything we do.

Many people think of alcohol asa way to relax after a long day.Others think it can help themfall asleep at night. But a drinkbefore bed (or even up to sixhours before bed) can actuallymake you sleep less soundly.

While alcohol may help you fallasleep faster, it may keep youawake during the second halfof the night. Poor sleep canaffect your memory and mood,and can make it harder for yourbody to fight off sickness.

Alcohol can also make many sleepproblems worse. Snoring, sleepapnea, and restless leg syndromeare all made worse with evensmall amounts of alcohol.

Can alcohol ever be good for me?Have you heard that drinkingmight be good for you? This is acomplex issue; talk to your doctorabout what is best for you.

This doesn’t mean you shouldstart drinking if you don’t already!Alcohol can be dangerous formany people.

7

Nightcap? Not if you want to sleep!

Speaking of bedtime…(Sleeping is not the only bedroomactivity alcohol can affect.)

• Even small amounts of alcohol canmake it difficult for men to keep anerection

• Alcohol lowers sex drive in both menand women

• Alcohol dulls sensation in both menand women, which can make itdifficult to reach orgasm

Do you take any of the following?

Anticoagulants(like Coumadin® or Warfarin®, used to prevent blood clotting)

Antidepressants(used to treat depression)

Antihistamines(used to treat allergies and other illnesses)

Barbiturates and benzodiazepines(used to reduce anxiety and stress)

Cardiovascular medications(used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure)

Some hypoglycemics(used to treat diabetes and prediabetes)

Sedatives and hypnotics(used to treat sleeping problems)

If you checked any of these boxes,avoid alcohol and talk to your healthcare provider about what isbest for you.

Other medications not on this listmay also interact with alcohol.Always check the label on medicationbottles for directions and talk toyour health care provider.

Can I drink if I’m on medications?

6

How can alcohol affectme as I get older?Alcohol can affect your mindand body as you get older. Haveyou experienced any of theseafter drinking alcohol?

• Loss of balance

• Being less alert

• Slower reaction times

• Blurry vision

These symptoms can lead to falls,injuries, car crashes, and otherkinds of accidents.

If you are feeling any of thesesymptoms when you drinkalcohol, talk to your healthcare provider.

It’s just a drink, whatcan it really do to me?Alcohol, even in small amounts,can be harmful to your health.Alcohol use has been linkedto many diseases and cancerssuch as breast, stomach, andliver cancer.

Alcohol can make it harderto control chronic conditionssuch as diabetes or high bloodpressure and may interferewith your medications.

One drink is:

• One can (12 oz.) of beer

• A single shot (1.5 oz.)of hard liquor

• A glass (5 oz.) of wine

• A small glass (4 oz.) ofsherry, liqueur, or aperitif

3

Alcohol and medications can“interact” (mix with each otherand cause bad side effects). Thesereactions can lead to illness,injury, and even death.

One out of four emergencyroom visits is linked to alcohol-medication interactions.* Thereare more than 100 medicationsthat react with alcohol and causebad side effects.

Can I drink if I’m on medications?

Which of the following commonover-the-counter medicationsdo you take?

Acetaminophen(pain relievers such as Tylenol®)

Antacids

Aspirin and non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS: such as ibuprofen, Advil®, or Aleve®)

Cold, allergy, and cough medicine

Herbal and dietary supplements

Laxatives

Sleeping pills or sleep aids

Vitamins and minerals

4

Even some “over-the-counter” medicationscan cause unwantedside effects whenmixed with alcohol.These can includemany things youcan buy withouta prescription.

*Alcohol Alert, National Institute on Alcohol Abuseand Alcoholism, No. 27 PH 355 January 1995

If you are taking any over-the-counter medications, find out howthey interact with alcohol bytalking to your pharmacist orhealth care provider.

Ever wonder if you had an alcohol-medication interaction?

Check below any symptoms you have had:

5

Unexplained pain

Changes in eating habits

Trouble finishing sentences

Trouble concentrating

Other troubling reactions

Memory trouble after havinga drink or taking medicine

Loss of coordination(unsteady on your feet, frequent falls)

Changes in sleeping habits

Unexplained bruises

Mood swings(sadness, depression)

If you checked any of these,you may have had an alcohol-medication interaction. Tell yourhealth care provider about what’shappening to you.

Alcohol and medications can“interact” (mix with each otherand cause bad side effects). Thesereactions can lead to illness,injury, and even death.

One out of four emergencyroom visits is linked to alcohol-medication interactions.* Thereare more than 100 medicationsthat react with alcohol and causebad side effects.

Can I drink if I’m on medications?

Which of the following commonover-the-counter medicationsdo you take?

Acetaminophen(pain relievers such as Tylenol®)

Antacids

Aspirin and non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS: such as ibuprofen, Advil®, or Aleve®)

Cold, allergy, and cough medicine

Herbal and dietary supplements

Laxatives

Sleeping pills or sleep aids

Vitamins and minerals

4

Even some “over-the-counter” medicationscan cause unwantedside effects whenmixed with alcohol.These can includemany things youcan buy withouta prescription.

*Alcohol Alert, National Institute on Alcohol Abuseand Alcoholism, No. 27 PH 355 January 1995

If you are taking any over-the-counter medications, find out howthey interact with alcohol bytalking to your pharmacist orhealth care provider.

Ever wonder if you had an alcohol-medication interaction?

Check below any symptoms you have had:

5

Unexplained pain

Changes in eating habits

Trouble finishing sentences

Trouble concentrating

Other troubling reactions

Memory trouble after havinga drink or taking medicine

Loss of coordination(unsteady on your feet, frequent falls)

Changes in sleeping habits

Unexplained bruises

Mood swings(sadness, depression)

If you checked any of these,you may have had an alcohol-medication interaction. Tell yourhealth care provider about what’shappening to you.

Do you take any of the following?

Anticoagulants(like Coumadin® or Warfarin®, used to prevent blood clotting)

Antidepressants(used to treat depression)

Antihistamines(used to treat allergies and other illnesses)

Barbiturates and benzodiazepines(used to reduce anxiety and stress)

Cardiovascular medications(used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure)

Some hypoglycemics(used to treat diabetes and prediabetes)

Sedatives and hypnotics(used to treat sleeping problems)

If you checked any of these boxes,avoid alcohol and talk to your healthcare provider about what isbest for you.

Other medications not on this listmay also interact with alcohol.Always check the label on medicationbottles for directions and talk toyour health care provider.

Can I drink if I’m on medications?

6

How can alcohol affectme as I get older?Alcohol can affect your mindand body as you get older. Haveyou experienced any of theseafter drinking alcohol?

• Loss of balance

• Being less alert

• Slower reaction times

• Blurry vision

These symptoms can lead to falls,injuries, car crashes, and otherkinds of accidents.

If you are feeling any of thesesymptoms when you drinkalcohol, talk to your healthcare provider.

It’s just a drink, whatcan it really do to me?Alcohol, even in small amounts,can be harmful to your health.Alcohol use has been linkedto many diseases and cancerssuch as breast, stomach, andliver cancer.

Alcohol can make it harderto control chronic conditionssuch as diabetes or high bloodpressure and may interferewith your medications.

One drink is:

• One can (12 oz.) of beer

• A single shot (1.5 oz.)of hard liquor

• A glass (5 oz.) of wine

• A small glass (4 oz.) ofsherry, liqueur, or aperitif

3

Every time you swallow a biteof sandwich or take a sip of coffee,your body works hard to processwhat you’ve eaten. Your body getsthe energy it needs from foodthrough a process calledmetabolism.

As we grow older, our body’smetabolism slows down. Thismakes it harder for us to processeverything we take in as fast aswe used to. Because of this,alcohol stays in our bodies longerand at higher amounts.

Older women need to beespecially careful. Women'sbodies are less able to break downalcohol. Women are affected byalcohol faster than men.

Being aware of the changes inyour body can help you decidewhat is right for you.

2

Does age affect my ability to drink alcohol?

Metabolism is a groupof reactions that takeplace in the body.It changes the foodwe eat into theenergy necessary foreverything we do.

Many people think of alcohol asa way to relax after a long day.Others think it can help themfall asleep at night. But a drinkbefore bed (or even up to sixhours before bed) can actuallymake you sleep less soundly.

While alcohol may help you fallasleep faster, it may keep youawake during the second halfof the night. Poor sleep canaffect your memory and mood,and can make it harder for yourbody to fight off sickness.

Alcohol can also make many sleepproblems worse. Snoring, sleepapnea, and restless leg syndromeare all made worse with evensmall amounts of alcohol.

Can alcohol ever be good for me?Have you heard that drinkingmight be good for you? This is acomplex issue; talk to your doctorabout what is best for you.

This doesn’t mean you shouldstart drinking if you don’t already!Alcohol can be dangerous formany people.

7

Nightcap? Not if you want to sleep!

Speaking of bedtime…(Sleeping is not the only bedroomactivity alcohol can affect.)

• Even small amounts of alcohol canmake it difficult for men to keep anerection

• Alcohol lowers sex drive in both menand women

• Alcohol dulls sensation in both menand women, which can make itdifficult to reach orgasm

8

Helpful tips to reduce drinking:

• Eat before and while you’re drinkingso that it takes longer for alcohol toget into your bloodstream.

• Drink a glass of water before havingalcohol. Alcohol causes your body tolose water, which can make you eventhirstier.

• Have a non-alcoholic drink, such assoda, juice, or water, for every alcoholicdrink you have. This will give your bodymore time to process the alcohol.

• Have one drink at a time – do notlet people “top off” your drinks.

• Dilute drinks with water, ice,club soda, or juice.

• Drink “virgin” cocktails, using non-alcoholic mixers without the liquor.

• Drink slowly – take sips. Try puttingyour glass down between sips ordoing something active, like dancing.

Knowing yourbody and your limitswill help you stayhealthy and keep upwith the things youenjoy most!

Because everyone’s body reactsto alcohol differently, it is importantto talk to your health care providerabout the pros and cons of drinking.This will help you decide what isbest for you.

Are you over 50?

Do you ever take prescriptionmedications?

Do you ever take over-the-countermedications, such as aspirinor pain relievers? 

Do you want to sleep better?

Do you drink alcohol – even justone drink now and then? 

If you said yes to any of these,then this guide is for you!This guide will give you the facts to help youknow your body and your limits when it comesto alcohol. If done the right way, many peoplecan drink more safely. This guide will helpyou think through what is best for you.

If you have a history of alcohol or othersubstance abuse, or think you might havea problem, not drinking any alcohol is thesafest choice. Talk to your health careprovider about what is best for you.

1

More InformationFor questions, concerns,or treatment information aboutalcohol and other drug abuse, callthe Massachusetts SubstanceAbuse Information and EducationHelpline at 1-800-327-5050 orvisit www.helpline-online.com.Services are available withouthealth insurance.

People over age 65 can learnabout safer use of medicationsand alcohol by ordering “HealthyAging: Medications and Alcohol”from the Massachusetts HealthPromotion Clearinghouse.Call 1-800-952-6637 or go towww.maclearinghouse.com.

ˇ

More InformationFor questions, concerns,or treatment information aboutalcohol and other drug abuse, callthe Massachusetts SubstanceAbuse Information and EducationHelpline at 1-800-327-5050 orvisit www.helpline-online.com.Services are available withouthealth insurance.

People over age 65 can learnabout safer use of medicationsand alcohol by ordering “HealthyAging: Medications and Alcohol”from the Massachusetts HealthPromotion Clearinghouse.Call 1-800-952-6637 or go towww.maclearinghouse.com.

ˇ

2007 - SA1051

Getting Older ]Wiser:safer drinking

as you ageMassachusetts Department of Public Health

Office of Healthy Aging

produced by:The Massachusetts HealthPromotion Clearinghouse,The Medical Foundation

www.maclearinghouse.com

2007 – SA1051

design: Milk Row Studio

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Office of Healthy Aging

funded by: