New ABC campaign aims to tackle alcohol misuse by seniors

Virginia ABC news release
Published: May 28, 2008

Read the news release below

In conjunction with May’s designation as Older Americans Month, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is distributing a new educational brochure, detailing the effects of alcohol on older adults, through ABC stores statewide.

Titled “The Best Is Yet to Come” the brochure promotes older adults maintaining a healthy lifestyle; emphasizes obtaining knowledge about alcohol and medication interactions; details the effect alcohol may have on older adults; and lists resources available if help is needed.

A few important facts highlighted in the brochure are:

• Substance abuse among adults 60 and older is one of the fastest growing health challenges facing the United States.
• Changing metabolism and proportions of body fat and body water contribute to the effects of alcohol on an older adult’s body.
• Eighty-three percent of people over age 65 take some form of prescription medication.
• Alcohol (even small amounts) can interact with up to 50 percent of the most commonly prescribed medications to produce a host of adverse effects.

These facts are disturbing but the good news is: when older Americans do seek treatment for an alcohol problem, they have the highest recovery rate for completion of treatment.
To simplify the process for those seeking more information, ABC partnered with several state agencies and private organizations to support prevention through education via the Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group (AAAG). The AAAG provides educational presentations for older adults, as well as training sessions for health professionals and other service providers.

More information including “The Best Is Yet to Come” brochure, how to contact the AAAG Speaker’s Bureau, resource lists and related links are available on ABC’s Web site http://www.abc.virginia.gov