Binge drinking among adults aged 65 years or older is on the rise, according to a new study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society.
Around 10.6% of older Americans binge drink, defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women, putting them at greater risk to health problems than even a younger generation.
A decade ago, that figure was anywhere from 7% to 9%.
"A lot of patients don't realize that as they get older, their body becomes more sensitive to alcohol," lead study author Dr. Benjamin Han, an assistant professor in the department of medicine's division of geriatric medicine and palliative care at NYU Langone Health, told NBC News. "They still think they can drink the same way, but the risks increase quite a bit."
Alcohol affects older adults differently, as drinking 2 or 3 beers at 65 or older has the same effect as 7 or 8 beers on someone age 20.
Han also noted many patients often forget to take their medicine when they binge drink.
The study found binge drinkers 65 and older were more likely to be men; it also noted they were more likely to use tobacco or cannabis.
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