The abuse and misuse of alcohol or drugs was once considered a problem only among the young. Unfortunately, substance abuse has become a growing problem among older adults as well. Community surveys suggest that misuse of alcohol or other drugs is a common cause of physical and mental health problems in older Americans, especially older men. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the mental and physical effects of these substances, because of the changes that happen in our minds and bodies as we age.

The following are questions you can ask your healthcare provider about alcohol and substance use:

1. Does my body handle alcohol differently as I get older?
2. Do different ethnic groups handle alcohol differently?
3. How much is it safe for an older adult to drink each day?
4. Is it true that drinking fine wines is safer than cheap spirits?
5. Is it true that the more intelligent and well educated you are the less likely you are to become a heavy drinker or an alcoholic?
6. Is it true that if you are rich and successful you cannot become an alcoholic?
7. What are the bad effects on older adults of too much alcohol?
8. Does drinking alcohol affect memory, or the ability to concentrate, in older adults?
9. Does drinking alcohol affect sexual function in older adults?
10. Can drinking alcohol affect blood pressure in older adults?
11. Is it more difficult to control high blood pressure with medicines in older adults who drink a lot?
12. Is there an increased risk of stroke in heavy drinkers and alcoholics?
13. Does drinking alcohol affect bone strength in older adults and contribute to osteoporosis?
14. I'm having upset stomach and heartburn a lot these days. Could this be because I'm drinking more alcohol?
15. Can dry mouth in older adults be caused by drinking alcohol?
16. Can alcohol affect the other medicines I'm taking?
17. I'm an older diabetic. Can alcohol affect my blood sugar?
18. Can alcohol affect my balance and make falling more likely?
19. Does drinking alcohol in the evening affect sleep?
20. I enjoy a nightcap between 9 and 10pm each evening, but I waken in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. Why is this?
21. I had a few drinks last night, and today I can't remember what I did for most of the evening. Should I worry about this?
22. Can drinking alcohol cause, or make depression worse?
23. Since I've been drinking more alcohol my appetite isn't so good. Does this matter?
24. I enjoy a cigarette when I have a drink. How does that affect my health?
25. Is it possible for older people to become alcoholics for the first time?
26. Does being an alcoholic shorten your life?
27. If an older adult becomes an alcoholic can he or she be treated for this?
28. Can counseling help an older adult to stop drinking alcohol?
29. Are there special treatment programs to help older adults stop drinking?
30. Now that I'm older I've decided to stop drinking. Will there be any withdrawal symptoms to watch out for? What can I do about them if there are?
31. Is it possible for an older person who is a heavy drinker to change?
32. I'm worried about my father. He has stopped playing golf and I think he is drinking too much when he is alone. What should I do about this?
33. Since my father died I think my mother has started drinking too much - she misses him. What should I do to help her?
34. My father used to be a heavy drinker when he was younger. I think he has started drinking again. What should I do?
35. Our family doctor says I shouldn't worry about my parents drinking too much since they moved to a senior residence, but I'm not satisfied with this. What should I do to help them?
36. I have been helping my father to stop drinking, but now feel exhausted and stressed out. Is there any way I can get help for myself?
37. Can the medications I am using for pain lead to substance abuse?
38. Am I as susceptible to substance abuse as someone much younger than me?
39. I've been using medications to help me sleep for a long time. Can I become addicted to them? How can I tell?