Why do some older adults start drinking excessively late in life? Results from an Interpretative Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Introduction This is a pioneering qualitative phenomenological hermeneutical study investigating a so far under‐investigated group of older adults with very late‐onset alcohol use disorder. The number of older adults is increasing, and the number of older adults with alcohol problems is increasing accordingly. We investigated older adults with very late‐onset alcohol use disorder to identify what causes some people to develop problems with alcohol after the age of 60. Method We interviewed 12 Danish individuals (seven men) whose alcohol use disorder started after the age of 60. For our analysis, we used the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework, rigorously following the six steps it prescribes. Participants were included until data saturation was achieved. Findings After a lifelong unproblematic (at times heavy) use of alcohol, it seemed that using alcohol as a coping strategy was one of the main factors in very late‐onset alcohol use disorder among our participants. We found that the participants experienced a marked loss of identity when they had no activities to fill up their time after retirement. Social activities involving alcohol were also closely related to very late‐onset alcohol use disorder. Conclusion Loss of identity, coping with physical and psychological problems, an overarching societal and social culture surrounding alcohol and the interrelationship between social life, alcohol use and heavy drinking are important factors that need be addressed clinically and preventively, and specifically for individuals experiencing very late‐onset alcohol use disorder.

Psychiatric disorders as main discharge diagnosis by the Portuguese oldest old from 2000 to 2014: exploring national acute inpatient admissions

“…However, population aging is concurring to a higher number of older adults with alcohol problems, which reinforce the importance of studying demographic trends of alcohol use and alcohol use problems in this specific population. One of the few existent studies demonstrated that alcohol use, binge alcohol use, and alcohol use disorders increased among older adults, particularly in females, and among older adults with multiple chronic conditions (Han et al, 2017); another study conducted with a sample of older adults with very late-onset alcohol use disorder found that using alcohol as a coping strategy was one of its main associated factors (Emiliussen et al, 2017). Moreover, older persons have unique risks with alcohol consumption, and special vulnerabilities to the effects of moodaltering substances.…”

Alcohol relapse and near-relapse experiences show that relapse models need to be updated

“…IPA has been used within the AUD and alcohol addiction field (see e.g. Emiliussen, Andersen & Nielsen, 2017;Shinebourne & Smith 2009, Toye, Williamson, Williams, Fairbank & Lamb, 2016.…”

Quality of life of alcohol-dependent adults

“…Heavy episodic drinking at least once a week is 60 g of pure alcohol or five or more drinks on one occasion) is reported by over one fifth of Europeans aged 15 years and over (WHO, 2014b). Although alcohol use declines with age (Grundstrom, et al, 2012), studies have shown that alcohol consumption is higher in older adult population (León-Munoz, et al, 2015;Emiliussen, et al, 2017). WHO (2014a) states that alcohol consumption is generally more frequent in older people than in other age groups.…”