BINGE DRINKING: SENIORS VS STUDENTS

When I think of party animals and binge drinking - college students come to mind.

but..........nursing homes may house more frequent binge drinkers than college dorms.

The last thing that comes to mind when I think of binge drinking is seniors. However, a report from the American Center For Disease Control and prevention  says the most frequent bingers live in retirement homes. The report defines a "binge" as five drinks in one short time for a man, or four for a woman, and found that people over 65 who binged did so most often, an average of 5.5 times a month.

The latest studies from Health Canada and Stats Canada exploring  patterns of alcohol use reported in 2010, which best describe Canadians' usual drinking when they drank, showed some statistically significant changes from those reported in 2009. 

Heavy infrequent drinking increased among adults, from 2.4% in 2009 to 3.3% in 2010. This was likely driven by an increase in heavy infrequent drinking among males from 3.8% in 2009 to 5.6% in 2010. Light frequent drinking increased among females from 25.4% in 2009 to 28.2% in 2010.

Seniors are one of the fastest growing population groups in Canada. Alcohol is the most commonly used psychoactive substance among today's seniors aged 65 years and older. Alcohol is the most common substance misused by older adults. Alcoholism is often hidden, denied, or unrecognized.

Generally, alcohol consumption declines with age and the proportion of non-drinkers increases. There are a number of reasons for the overall decline in consumption: changes in life circumstances, attitudes and, sometimes, less income (particularly for older women), and growing ill health. 

Here in Canada, alcohol abuse is estimated to affect between 5% and 11% of seniors (McEwan, Donnelly, Robertson, & Hertzman, 1991). One-third of older adults with drinking problems begin misusing alcohol after they reach old age (Elderly Mental Health Care Working Group, 2002). Daily alcohol intake tends to increase significantly with age. It ranges from a low of 1.6% among 18- to 29-year-olds, to a high of 10.9% for people 65 and over (Adlaf & Ialomiteanu, 2002).

 

Today’s seniors may be heavier drinkers than in the past. It might be the result of  belong to a generation where alcohol has simply been socially available and more acceptable, or  the result of higher levels of disposable income in retirement. 

What do you think? Is there a market for a  new Animal House adaptation movie based on binge drinking and senior joksters at a retirement residence in St. John's.