Alcohol can rob older people of quality of life

The focus of society and the media on the harmful effects of alcohol on young people eclipses an emerging issue among the over 50s, who are drinking more at home.

The ‘Older People and Substance Use’ Seminar, held in NUI Galway last week, was one of a number of events organised by the Western Region Drug & Alcohol Task Force as part of its annual awareness week.

Thelma Abernethy, CEO of Addiction NI (Northern Ireland), said that this was everyone’s problem, and that we must start speaking about the issue so that alcohol does not prevent one’s enjoyment of life.

“The sad thing is that the over 50s are less likely to be offered a service,” she said.

“There is a real stigma – what’s the point, they are old, there is not going to be a lot of change, but our evidence is that when older people get offered a service, they actually have better outcomes.

“We need to ensure that we are giving them that opportunity. People are living longer, we need to make sure they have a quality of life and that they are supported to do that, and that alcohol doesn’t rob them of that.”

Social isolation is one of the major reasons for the growing problem, with the most common causes being life transitions such retirement, loss of a sense of purpose, bereavement of parents or partners, and lack of social opportunities.

“The over 50s aren’t seen out and about on the streets socialising,” she adds.

“Social isolation is a big thing; when people retire and get older those social networks become less, people spend more time in their homes and, as a society, we are drinking more at home, and it can be part of a weekly shop.”

“There is an impact on medication, on the body processing alcohol as we get older, that is information that is not widely available out there.”

With a high percentage of the over 50s still in the work place, Addiction NI specifically engages with companies in this regard.

“Because alcohol is so much part of day-to-day life, it is very easy for that one (drink) to become two, and two becomes three and, all of a sudden, it’s out of control.

“There is a stigma about drinking, especially if someone starts thinking they’ve got a problem, as we get older ‘we should have more sense’, and people aren’t coming forward.

“The people who are working with the over 50s don’t feel comfortable asking about alcohol intake, and having that conversation.”

The challenge, she says, is to start talking about alcohol in a more positive way than we are currently doing – busting the common myths that a good meal is soakage, or drinking water dilutes the alcohol – so that it does not become a problem as we grow older.

Much of the focus when Addiction NI goes into the work place is with those who are facing retirement, and the danger that they will lose their sense of purpose.

“Maybe it’s a pain to have to go to work, but it’s a protection factor – you’re getting up, you’re meeting people, you’re doing things, you’ve less time on your hands – imagine taking that away.

“There’s people who dream of playing golf all day, or following some kind of sport, but there’s an increased risk that alcohol becomes more and more a part of everyday life. I’m thinking about one man who retired, and that’s what he dreamed of – playing golf every day – and he always had a social drink after a game, but sadly that one became two, became three, became four, and he came to us at the point when his family were ready to leave, and his health was shot to pot. He said it all happened so quickly, so easily.”

The Western Region Drug & Alcohol Task Force will be holding training days for those working in front line services, in a bid to start addressing this issue head on. Further details, when they become available, will be on the ‘training calendar’ section of the website.