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Negative Effects of Alcohol Abuse on
Adolescents and the Elderly
Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Adolescents:
 The
effects of alcohol abuse on adolescents is very different from the way
problem drinking effects adult alcoholics. As you may expect,
adolescents have a relatively short history of problem drinking.
Because of their comparatively short history of heavy drinking, one of
the major differences related to the effects of alcohol abuse on
adolescents is that it is very rare to have physiological dependence
on alcohol or alcohol-related medical complications. The abuse of
alcohol and drugs however contributes in important ways to morbidity
and mortality in adolescents, with the leading causes being motor
vehicle accidents, homicide, and suicide. The negative effects of
alcohol abuse on adolescents also need to be considered within the
context of the values and behaviors of the adolescent’s peer group
when talking to or providing treatment. These values also need to be
considered when conducting an evaluation of an adolescent’s drinking
behavior. Also, evaluation of problematic drinking behavior by an
adolescent also needs to take into account other prominent
developmental issues that characterize adolescence, including the
conflict that seems to be inherent when an adolescent becomes more
independent from their family.
There have been a
number of instruments developed to assess the effects of alcohol abuse
on adolescents as well as some of the additional problems associated
with their substance use and abuse. It is usually believed that when
dealing with adolescents, given their economic and emotional
dependence, whenever it is possible, it is important to have a
thorough evaluation of the family in order to understand the
adolescent’s use of drugs as well as to understand the negative
effects of alcohol abuse on them and their families.
Effects of alcohol abuse on the elderly:
Although problem
drinking is less pervasive among the elderly, the effects of alcohol
abuse in this age group are known to increase morbidity significantly.
Alcoholic elderly have significantly poorer psychosocial functioning
and suffer from more chronic medical problems than elderly
nonalcoholics. Also, the increased use of prescription medications
also increases the potential for adverse pharmacokinetic interactions
with alcohol. Also, the decrease in cognitive abilities associated
with heavy alcohol use can also increase medication errors and
noncompliance with treatment regimens for chronic medical conditions.
The effects of
alcohol abuse on the elderly and their manifestations are often more
subtle and nonspecific than what may be observed among younger
individuals. Because self-reported problematic drinking behaviors may
be unreliable in the elderly, other sources of information from family
and neighbors should be used to identify problematic drinking. Some
of the following areas should be considered systematically when
considering problematic drinking and the effects of alcohol abuse on
the elderly: untreated medical illnesses, prescription drug abuse,
psychiatric comorbidity, cognitive impairment, functional assessment,
as well as the need for social services.
Similar to the
approach used in assessing the effects of alcohol abuse among younger
adults, alcoholism among the elderly has been classified according to
the age of onset. Some studies have found that about two thirds of
elderly alcoholics began heavy drinking prior to the age of 60, with
the remaining one third beginning drinking heavily after the age of
60. Late onset alcoholism frequently appears more often among women
and people of higher socioeconomic status and is usually not
associated with a family history of alcoholism. As might be expected,
older alcoholics with early-onset alcoholism also have more
alcohol-related medical and psychosocial problems and are more likely
to require alcoholism treatment for the negative effects of their
alcohol abuse.
From DSM-IV-TR Mental
Disorders: Diagnosis, Etiology and Treatment by Michael B. First and
Allan Tasman
Additional
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
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