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STUDY SHOWS BINGE DRINKING & ALCOHOL ABUSE RISING IN PEOPLE OVER 50

An alarming increase in unhealthy alcohol use and binge drinking is occurring among adults age 50 and older, according to a new study conducted by New York University. The increase is particularly troubling given the negative impact alcohol can have on chronic disease management and risk of injuries prevalent in this age group.

“Older adults have particular vulnerabilities to alcohol due to physiological changes during aging, including increasing chronic disease burden and medication use,” Benjamin Han, MD, MPH at NYU Langone Medical Center, recently told sciencedaily.com. Han’s study also found a greater increase in binge alcohol use and alcohol use disorder in women in the nationally representative sample from 2005-2014.

“As females age, they tend to experience a larger impact of physiological changes in lean body mass compared to men,” said Dr. Han. “Thus, they may experience the adverse effects associated with consuming alcohol even in lower amounts. Health care providers need to be made aware of this increasing trend and ensure that screening for unhealthy alcohol use is part of regular medical care for this population.”

The public health concerns raised by this research are highest for older adults who reported fair to poor health and/or multiple chronic conditions. In response to these concerns in Houston, The Council on Recovery has prevention, education, and treatment programs that address alcohol and substance abuse in people over 50. As the oldest and largest non-profit organization providing such services in the Greater Houston area, The Council has been the starting point for Baby Boomers needing help for many years. The Council can be reached at 855.942-4100.

Note: An abstract of the study, “Demographic trends of binge alcohol use and alcohol use disorders among older adults in the United States, 2005–2014” published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.11.003

Celebrating the spirit of the holiday season often means drinking holiday spirits. Most people celebrate responsibly, but during this season, more people are likely to drink beyond a safe limit than at other times of year. The consequences can range from fighting to falling to tragic car accidents. Despite knowledge of the dangers, myths around drinking abound, some of which can prove fatal.

Myth: Decision-making abilities and driving skills are not impaired until intoxication occurs.

Fact: Even a few drinks can diminish decision-making (including the decision of whether or not to drive!) and driving skills well before physical signs of intoxication. Though many people initially feel stimulated by a drink or two, alcohol can rapidly decrease good judgment and reaction times as its depressant effects take hold. Though one may not feel or appear drunk, the sharpness needed for good decisions and responsible driving can be compromised by even a small amount of alcohol.

Myth: If you’re not slurring your words or acting inebriated, it’s okay to drive.

Fact: Coordination needed for safe driving is compromised long before the signs of intoxication occur. Additionally, the sedative effects of alcohol increase the risk of losing attention or falling asleep behind the wheel.

Myth: After drinking all evening, it’s okay to drive after “sobering up.”

Fact: When people finish drinking, they often misjudge how long alcohol affects their driving abilities. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol’s effect on the body and brain may persist long after the final drink. Despite a cup of coffee or cold-shower, alcohol in the bloodstream can continue to impair judgment and coordination for many hours.

Myth: A couple of cups of coffee will sober you up.

Fact: Though caffeine may help avert drowsiness, it doesn’t affect the alcohol that’s still in your bloodstream impairing judgment or coordination. It may take hours for the body to return to normal after metabolizing alcohol. In this way, time (without additional alcohol) provides the only way to truly sober up.

Though there are many myths about drinking, driving, and other behaviors, the facts readily dispel each one of them. The Council on Recovery wants everyone in our community to be safe during this season and recommends adherence to the old adage, “Don’t Drink and Drive”, especially around the holidays. And, if you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol, drugs, or other addictive behaviors, call The Council today and give the gift of recovery.

On November 30^th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 21^st Century Cures Act, a medical research and innovation bill that includes $1 billion to help combat heroin and opioid addiction. Funding in the bill is aimed at prevention and treatment, as well as training health care practitioners in best prescribing practices for reducing misuse, abuse, and overdose prevention. While the funds are spread over two years and available to states in the form of federal block grants, it’s not clear how states will receive funding with regard to locations with higher incidence or prevalence of opioid abuse.

Though passed with wide bipartisan support, the 21^st Century Cures Act does not address issues related to the production, distribution, or marketing of opioid painkillers by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Big Pharma’s support of the bill also raises important concerns about the prospect of future regulation of the manufacture of opioids, as the bill provided regulatory rollbacks long-sought by the industry. It remains to be seen exactly how Congress will gain meaningful assistance in fighting the opioid epidemic from the producers of prescription painkillers.

Despite the uncertainties of how the 21^st Century Cures Act will ultimately play out, The Council on Recovery still recognizes the House’s passage of this bill as an important step toward preventing and treating opioid abuse. The bill is expected to garner bipartisan support in the Senate when it is debated this week and we support its passage.

Making Food Your Friend Again: Looking Back to Move Forward
An Evening with Jessica Setnick
Thursday, January 19, 2017 | 6:30 – 8:30 pm | Free
Jessica Setnick, MS, RD, CEDRD, envisions a world where no one is ashamed to talk about emotional eating. After recovering from her own eating disorder and nearly two decades helping others as an eating disorder dietitian, Jessica now shares her insights with health professionals, educators, parents and students.

On January 19th join The Council on Recovery as Jessica leads us on the journey to understand, manage and improve our
own unwanted eating behaviors. Whether your relationship with food is confusing, frustrating or downright dysfunctional, Jessica provides an inspiring new perspective to support the process of acceptance leading to change.

A Half-Day Workshop for Clinicians
with Jessica Setnick MS, RD, CEDRD and Ann Spataro, LCSW
Friday, January 20, 2017 | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm | $25
3 CEUs Available to Participants

Jessica Setnick – Adapting Addiction Treatment Strategies to Manage Eating Issues
Dysfunctional eating behaviors sometimes resemble addictions so closely that our clients may describe themselves as “addicted” to food. In this presentation, Jessica Setnick will give examples of the similarities and differences between eating disorders and addictions and how we as professionals can help our clients channel their addiction recovery skills to manage and heal their eating issues.

Ann Spataro – Mindful Eating; Food for Thought
Mindful eating is not a diet. It is about changing our relationship with food, getting back in touch with our hunger and satiety signals and recognizing what emotions often hijack our commitment to improved health. Mindful eating explores the impact of how an individual eats rather than what an individual eats. In this presentation, Ann Spataro will provide experiential exercises designed to inspire a Mindful Eating practice.

Click here to register!