You are here: Home > Publications > Resources for professionals > Choosing to Change: A Client-Centred Approach to Alcohol and Medication Use by Older Adults

Identifying problems with alcohol or medication in older adults can be difficult, because symptoms sometimes resemble the changes associated with age-related illnesses. Symptoms that could indicate a substance use problem in a younger person are sometimes attributed to aging in an older adult. Is falling down a sign of intoxication, a sign of problematic use of medication, or a sign of unsteadiness related to decreased mobility or a bone disease? Is forgetfulness a sign of depression, a sign of dementia, a sign of alcohol use, or a long-standing characteristic of a person who now happens to be old?

The following table (ARF, 1993) illustrates how the signs of alcohol and medication use can sometimes be mistaken as signs of aging (and vice versa):

Table 1: Comparing Signs of Alcohol and/or Medication Use with Signs of Aging

Possible Signs of Alcohol and/or Medication Use	Signs of Aging*
Confusion	Confusion
Disorientation	Disorientation
Recent memory loss	Recent memory loss
Slowed thought process	Slowed thought process
Loss of muscle co-ordination and loss of balance	Loss of muscle co-ordination and loss of balance
Tremors	Tremors
Gastritis	Gastritis
Depression	Depression
Irregular heartbeat	Irregular heart beat
High blood pressure	High blood pressure
Malnutrition (poor nutrition), dehydration	Malnutrition (poor nutrition), dehydration

* Although these signs are associated with aging, they should not be construed as inevitable consequences of the aging process.