By Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO, Hanley Foundation
As we age, our bodies change dramatically, and so does our tolerance for alcohol. A single glass of wine at 75 is not the same as that same glass at 35, and the difference can have very real consequences.
What’s Really Happening Inside the Body
Over time, our body composition shifts: we lose muscle and water, and gain fat. If you are dismayed by this information, so was I! Because alcohol is water-soluble, this means it becomes more concentrated in the bloodstream, leading to a higher blood alcohol level from the same drink.
A 75-year-old can experience up to a 50% higher blood alcohol concentration than a 35-year-old after drinking the same amount. And because the liver’s ability to metabolize alcohol slows down with age, that glass of wine also stays in the system longer, and your tolerance for alcohol diminishes.
These changes don’t just affect how we “feel” after a drink; they affect how safely we can walk, think, drive, and sleep.
The Subtle Signs of Overuse
In older adults, alcohol-related changes can mimic signs of normal aging: forgetfulness, confusion, or trouble with balance. It’s easy to attribute those moments to getting older, when in reality, alcohol is quietly amplifying their effects.
Add to that the fact that many seniors are prescribed medications, such as sleep aids, anxiety medications, or painkillers, that interact dangerously with alcohol, and the risks rise sharply. Even one glass of wine can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or impaired coordination when combined with certain prescriptions.
What once was a relaxing evening ritual can, over time, become a hidden health threat.
A Dangerous Myth
One of the most common beliefs I hear from older adults is, “I’ve been drinking this way my whole life, it doesn’t affect me.”
But the truth is, the body you have at 75 is not the body you had at 35.
Even if drinking habits haven’t changed, the way alcohol affects you has. What once felt like moderation can now have outsized and sometimes dangerous effects.
A Chance to Reset
The good news? It’s never too late to make a change. Awareness is the first step. Reducing alcohol intake or eliminating it altogether can improve sleep, memory, balance, and mood within weeks.
But a word of caution: older adults should never attempt to stop drinking on their own if they have been drinking regularly. Abruptly stopping alcohol can trigger dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, stroke, heart problems, and severe confusion, that require medical supervision. Even those who feel “healthy” can be at serious risk. That’s why professional guidance is essential. Gradual, medically supervised detox combined with ongoing support is the safest path to recovery.
At Hanley Center’s Center for Older Adult Recovery, we help older adults navigate these changes safely, providing medical monitoring, counseling, and peer support, so they can reclaim health and quality of life without putting themselves at unnecessary risk.
Every Age Deserves Healing
Aging should not mean accepting decline; it should mean embracing wisdom, health, and connection. Understanding how alcohol tolerance changes with age empowers families to have honest conversations and take preventative steps before a crisis emerges.
If you’re worried about someone you love, or want to learn more about how aging affects alcohol use, know this: help is available, and healing is possible at every stage of life. To learn more about Hanley Center’s Older Adult Program or speak with our 24/7 admissions team call (561) 841-1033.
Hanley Center has been helping people all over the country achieve wellness for more than 40 years. In addition to providing age- and gender-specific treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders, Hanley offers a Patriots Initiative for first responders and veterans, a program specifically for pregnant women, and a boutique residential mental health program for adults. For information on our programs, call us today: (561) 841-1033.
