What to Ask: Drug and Substance Abuse
Tools and Tips
The abuse and misuse of alcohol or drugs was once considered a problem only among the young. Unfortunately, substance abuse has become a growing problem among older adults as well. Community surveys suggest that misuse of alcohol or other drugs is a common cause of physical and mental health problems in older Americans, especially older men. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the mental and physical effects of these substances, because of the changes that happen in our minds and bodies as we age.
The following are questions you can ask your healthcare professional about alcohol and substance use.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ALCOHOL USE
- Does my body handle alcohol differently as I get older?
- Do different ethnic groups handle alcohol differently?
- How much is it safe for an older adult to drink each day?
- Is it true that drinking fine wines is safer than cheap spirits?
- What are the bad effects on older adults of too much alcohol? Does it affect:
- my ability to concentrate?
- my sexual function?
- my blood pressure?
- my bone strength and contribute to osteoporosis?
- my mood? Does it make depression worse?
QUESTIONS ABOUT DRUGS AND OTHER SUBSTANCE USE
- I enjoy a cigarette when I have a drink. How does that affect my health?
- Can the medications I am using for pain lead to substance abuse?
- Am I as susceptible to substance abuse as someone much younger than me?
- I've been using medications to help me sleep for a long time. Can I become addicted to them? How can I tell?