Binge drinking is a common problem. It is increasing among older adults. This means many people aged 60 and above are drinking a lot of alcohol.
Binge drinking is when a person has four or more drinks in two hours at least five times a month for women (five drinks for men). A recent study found that 20% of people aged 60 to 64 binge drink. For people over 65, the number is 12%. This number has been going up, while binge drinking among younger adults is going down.
One reason for this trend may be changing views on alcohol. Young adults today, aged 18 to 34, think alcohol is unhealthy. Sixty-five percent feel this way, compared to only 39% of those 55 and older.
The risks of binge drinking are higher for older adults. As people age, their bodies react differently to alcohol. This can lead to problems with balance and memory. Falls are common among older people, and drinking makes it worse. Alcohol can also mix badly with many medications.
It is important to understand your drinking habits. You can use tools like the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test for help.
Vocabulary List:
- Binge drinking /bɪndʒ ˈdrɪŋ.kɪŋ/ (noun): The consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period.
- Medication /ˌmɛdɪˈkeɪʃən/ (noun): A substance used for medical treatment especially a medicine or drug.
- Study /ˈstʌdi/ (noun): A research investigation aimed at discovering new information or understanding existing knowledge.
- Trend /trɛnd/ (noun): A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
- Balance /ˈbæl.əns/ (noun): An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.
- Alcohol /ˈæl.kə.hɔl/ (noun): A colorless volatile liquid that is produced by the fermentation of sugars and is the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages.
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