Alcohol use is part of the normative culture in the United States, with over 80% of the adult population reporting lifetime alcohol use and over 50% of those aged 12 and older reporting alcohol use in the past 30 days.3 Among adults who consume alcohol in the United States, 38 million reported they drank too much, yet only 1 in 6 discussed their drinking with their health care provider.5 Based on recent data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 15.7% of adults talked with a health professional about alcohol use, with only 4.2% over the age of 65 reporting they had discussed alcohol use in the past year with a health care provider.6
Alcohol abuse in older women is often underdiagnosed and undertreated because it is often mistaken for other conditions related to aging. For example, a problem with balance may be attributed to frailty, increasing social isolation may be attributed to depressed mood, and confusion or memory changes may be attributed to a dementia syndrome.
For the older woman, having 2 or more drinks per day can increase the risk for traumatic injuries from motor vehicle crashes, falls, and illnesses (eg, liver disease, hypertension, stroke, and certain types of cancer).5 Because of the health risks associated with alcohol use in older woman, it is important that APNs be familiar with SBIRT to help women reduce the risks associated with alcohol use.