While scientists continue to actively research how to slow or prevent age-related declines in physical health, they’ve already discovered multiple ways to improve the chances of maintaining optimal health later in life. Taking care of your physical health involves staying active, making healthy food choices, getting enough sleep, limiting your alcohol intake, and proactively managing your health care. Small changes in each of these areas can go a long way to support healthy aging. Others — like exercise, a healthy diet, going to the doctor regularly, and taking care of our mental health — are within our reach. Research supported by NIA and others has identified actions you can take to help manage your health, live as independently as possible, and maintain your quality of life as you age.
Drugs and mental health
Alcohol deaths in 2022 were highest among people aged 45 to 64, males, people living in rural areas, and AIAN people. Alcohol death rates for AIAN people are by far the highest–5 times higher than death rates for White people, the racial group with the next highest prevalence. Across age groups, people aged 45 to 64 have the highest alcohol death rate, followed by 65+. Death rates in males are more than double that of females and people who reside in rural areas have death rates higher than those who live in urban areas (Figure 2).
- Using a somewhat conservative approach, such a probe should focus on periods of abstinence lasting at least 3 months because some mood, psychovegetative (e.g., altered energy levels and sleep disturbance), perceptual, and behavioral symptoms and signs related to AOD use can persist for some time.
- Positive changes, like the birth of a grandchild or a promotion, can cause stress too.
- This activity provides 0.75 CME/CE credits for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, and psychologists, as well as other healthcare professionals whose licensing boards accept APA or AMA credits.
- Substance use frequently co-occurs with mental illness, but some research suggests that psychiatrists only treat addiction for around half of the patients who have both mental illness and substance use problems.
- Fifth, by involving family members early in the course of treatment, the clinician begins to lay the groundwork toward establishing a supporting network that will become an important part of the patient’s recovery program.
- Further, recent changes to SUD confidentiality regulations are expected to simplify the diagnosis and coordination of care for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD).
How can I prevent alcohol use disorder?
- For example, in a recent study in New Hampshire, clients moved steadily through the stages of engagement, persuasion, active treatment, and relapse prevention, and approximately 50 percent of them achieved abstinence after 3 years of treatment (Mueser et al. 1996).
- REM is the stage where your brain rests and repairs itself, and it’s linked to better mental health.
- “Biologically speaking, it’s very much like a rubber band — you take a day off and you snap back to where your body wants to be,” he said.
- The biggest barrier to therapy of any kind that patients may face is shame and stigma; most programs address such concerns directly.
- Behavioral treatments—also known as alcohol counseling, or talk therapy, and provided by licensed therapists—are aimed at changing drinking behavior.
From the patient perspective, limited understanding of what constitutes problematic drinking and attitudes towards seeking treatment can hinder recognition of the need for help. For example, among those who meet the criteria for SUD—which may include symptoms like increased tolerance, repeated attempts to quit or control use, or social problems related to use–95% of adults did not seek treatment and didn’t think they needed it. Initiatives aimed at early screening in non-traditional settings, such as schools may help early detection and lead to more timely linkages of individuals to treatment resources.
Health Topics
In some cases, the first step in treating alcohol use disorder is detoxification—experiencing withdrawal in a safe setting with medical professionals. As anyone who has had even a glass of wine can attest, alcohol can have a noticeable influence on mood. Drinking releases endorphins which can lead people to feel happy, energized, and excited.
How Alcoholism Affects the Brain
Many of the same treatment approaches and therapies are used to address substance use and mental health disorders. In fact, many treatment professionals are integrated providers, trained in both addiction and mental health treatment. A comprehensive approach to integrated treatment can also be delivered by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and professionals working together on an individual’s treatment plan. If behavioral or mental symptoms aren’t appropriately treated, long-term alcohol abuse can lead to physical complications such as cirrhosis of the liver, chronic brain deterioration and, the most serious consequence of all, death.
Other findings support the concept of treatment stages in the recovery process (McHugo et al. 1995). For example, in a recent study in New Hampshire, clients moved steadily through the stages of engagement, persuasion, active treatment, and relapse prevention, and approximately 50 percent of them achieved abstinence after 3 years of treatment (Mueser et al. 1996). Several procedures could improve the detection of AOD-use disorders and of potentially harmful AOD use among psychiatric patients. For example, mental health clinicians should be educated about AOD’s and, subsequently, should maintain both a high index of suspicion for AOD-use disorders and an awareness of their clinical correlates.
Drugs & Supplements
Alcoholics Anonymous is one example; it offers a structured 12-step path toward recovery with a community of support from those who have dealt with similar challenges. For more information on symptoms, causes, and treatment of alcohol use disorder see our Diagnosis Dictionary. Active participation in a mutual support group can benefit many people as well.28 Groups vary widely in beliefs and demographics, is alcoholism a mental illness so advise patients who are interested in joining a group to try different options to find a good fit. In addition to widely recognized 12-step programs with spiritual components such as AA, a number of secular groups promote abstinence as well, such as SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Women for Sobriety, Secular Organizations for Sobriety, and Secular AA (see Resources, below, for links).
- Some also disagree with the notion of admitting powerlessness to God or a higher power and completely ceding control, and the belief that addiction is a disease, a point vigorously debated in the clinical and scientific communities.
- Another study showed that older adults who spent at least an hour reading or engaged in other hobbies had a decreased risk of dementia compared to those who spent less than 30 minutes a day on hobbies.
- For example, among those who meet the criteria for SUD—which may include symptoms like increased tolerance, repeated attempts to quit or control use, or social problems related to use–95% of adults did not seek treatment and didn’t think they needed it.
- People who went to the doctor regularly also reported improved quality of life and feelings of wellness.
- Alcohol abuse involves both a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol, often highlighted by an inability to control or limit consumption despite facing adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.