Older Adults Alcohol Consumption Is On The Rise, So Too Are Accidents

Alcohol use among senior citizens is on the rise. Although historically older adults were less likely to drink than younger adults, recent studies show that older adults are now drinking more frequently and in larger quantities than in the past. This may be due to increased stress and anxiety, social isolation, retirement and increased availability and marketing of alcohol to an older population.

But with that change in behavior, so too comes changes in risk for individuals and communities. Statistics show that older adults are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes while under the influence of alcohol than any other age group. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2018, 43% of drivers aged 65 and older who died in crashes were alcohol-impaired.

As recent is April 2023 a research team examined data from the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System between the years 2010–2018 and determined that older substance-impaired drivers were twice as likely to be at fault in fatal crashes. They published their findings in Traffic Injury Prevention, a peer-reviewed journal advocating for more awareness to this growing problem. Add in that the number of drivers aged 65 and older increased significantly in recent years, now making up 20% of drivers on the road, and it’s a perfect storm for accidents.

It’s believed that alcohol misuse in older adults is often overlooked and untreated public health problem. In part, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), because of “false beliefs among providers, professionals and the general public that older adults do not develop or need treatment for drug and alcohol use disorders.” But the organization warns that health care providers need to better understand and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead because the number of older adults with alcohol use disorders is expected to double by 2050.

That’s a scary estimate when the CDC already found that 2.7 million adults aged 65 and older binge drink on occasion. And in an older population, there are many more personal and community-based risks that result from drinking.

Not only are older individuals more sensitive to the effects of alcohol, but they also have higher rates of chronic diseases and problems that can be exacerbated by the effects of alcohol. Normal age-related challenges such as vision changes, slower reaction times and decreased cognitive abilities can all impact driving safety. When combined with any substance that impairs thought processes or reaction times, the result is a problem for everyone.

The Department of Transportation warns that as we age there are a number of individual changes we must consider, all of which are directly impacted by alcohol. These include:

• Fragility increases. The same crash force produces more serious injuries to a 70-year-old than to a 20-year-old.
• Drivers’ overall functional abilities decline. Though at very different rates for different people, physical capabilities including hearing, muscle tone, reaction time and visual capabilities (especially night vision) all decline. Cognitive capabilities can also diminish.
• Many older drivers use medication. In fact, over 90% take prescription medications. These medications alone may cause drowsiness or otherwise affect driving.
• Older drivers are less likely to drive aggressively or to speed. However, they may exhibit other risky behaviors, such as driving more slowly than prevailing traffic or failing to detect or accurately judge the speed of an oncoming vehicle while making a left turn. The most frequent driving errors made by older adults include the failure to yield right-of-way, inadequate surveillance and misjudgment of gaps.

Although everyone knows that drinking and driving is bad, one reason why older adults may be at higher risk is that they may not recognize the effects of alcohol on their driving abilities. An older individual may have a false sense of confidence in their driving skills or believe that they can handle alcohol better than younger adults. Social and environmental factors can also contribute to drinking and driving among senior citizens, such as increased leisure time and social isolation.

Unfortunately, recent years have seen in increase in both isolation thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and the ability to work from home if one is still working or retire early. With an ever-increasing population of those over 65, there is no time to waste in raising awareness about the effects of alcohol to the body, brain, and in many instances broader public safety. Families, friends and care providers should be on the lookout for signs or symptoms of alcohol overuse or misuse no matter the age of the person in question.