You May Be More Sensitive to Alcohol as You Age

Moderation is the key when it comes to drinking. But what’s “moderate” for you may change over time. That’s because your body may get more sensitive to alcohol with age. Here’s why that can be a big deal.

Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol is generally safe for most adults. The problem is, a moderate amount is defined as no more than one standard drink per day for women and 2 per day for men. As you get older, your body may be more sensitive to alcohol than it used to be. And, if that’s the case, drinking even this amount may be overdoing it.

Why alcohol sensitivity matters

Here are a few ways alcohol can hit you differently as you get older:

• Balance. Your body takes longer to process alcohol, so you may not have as much tolerance for it. The effects of alcohol can throw off your balance and raise your risk of injury from falls or other accidents. Also, because bones get weaker over time, even minor falls can lead to fractures or breaks. Studies show that the rate of hip fractures goes up in older adults when alcohol is involved.
  
  
• Driving. Drinking slows the reaction time for drivers of any age, but even more so for older drivers. If you know you’ll be operating machinery or driving soon, think about skipping that drink altogether.
  
  
• Medicine. The older you are, the likelier you are to take some sort of medication or supplement. Mixing medicines and alcohol is dangerous business for anyone. Take the time to learn about the side effects of everything you’re taking. You may want to ask your doctor if it’s safe to drink alcohol. If you’re unsure, don’t take the risk.

Taking stock

It can be hard to gauge whether you’re getting more sensitive to alcohol, especially if you live alone. If you suspect the amount of alcohol you drink is affecting you more than it has in the past, you might want to get a handle on the matter before it causes problems. Start by talking with your doctor. Be honest about the amount you drink, as well as any problems, such as falls, that alcohol might have led to. And be sure to discuss all the medicines you take, even over-the-counter ones.

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This information is not intended to take the place of regular medical care or advice. Please check with your doctor before using this information or beginning any self-care program. Images used for this article do not depict any members of the Silver&Fit program.   

References

Bell, S. (2018). Alcohol consumption, hypertension, and cardiovascular health across the life course: There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. Journal of the American Heart Association, 7(13). doi:10.1161/JAHA.118.009698

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 9). Alcohol use and your health. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Alcohol: Balancing risks and benefits. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/alcohol-full-story/

Miller, L. (2024). Demographics and addiction. https://recovery.org/addiction/demographics/

National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging. (2022, July 19). Facts about aging and alcohol. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/facts-about-aging-and-alcohol

National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Older adults and drinking. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/special-populations-co-occurring-disorders/older-adults

National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2014). Mixing alcohol with medicines. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/harmful-interactions-mixing-alcohol-with-medicines

This article was written by Jason Nielsen; edited by Sharon Odegaard; and, clinically reviewed
by Elizabeth Thompson, MPH, RDN.

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