Why Middle-Aged Drinkers Dominate Alcohol-Related Hospitalizations: The Surprising Stats

Alcohol use disorder remains a significant issue for individuals in their 50s and 60s, and they continue to struggle immensely to overcome this challenge.

Experts cautioned that the issue of alcohol consumption among middle-aged individuals warrants attention, as it significantly affects not only their own wellbeing but also their families and society at large.

The Dasarang Central Hospital examined data from a total of 3,716 patients admitted with signs of alcohol use disorder over a period spanning four years, from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2024.

Consequently, it was determined that approximately 33% of all patients had been admitted to the hospital multiple times, with over three instances each. Notably, more than half of these readmitted individuals fell within the age range of 50-69 years old. Specifically, regarding those born in specific decades: ▲ 974 from the 1960s, ▲ 882 from the 1970s, and ▲ 672 from the 1950s.

This, combined with quicker retirements, exposes individuals to various stresses like financial instability, strained familial bonds, and loneliness. It appears this is contributing to an increase in alcohol use disorders as people attempt to readily address these challenging circumstances through drinking.

Ha Woon-sik, who heads the Department of Psychiatry at Dasarang Central Hospital, stated, “Alcohol use disorder isn’t merely an issue of lacking willpower; it’s a genuine medical condition stemming from persistent and repeated alterations in brain function. Despite frequent relapses, timely intervention by both families and healthcare providers often gets postponed, which saddens me when dealing with patients readmitted multiple times after being released.” He explained this sentiment.

Actually, the outcome of addressing alcohol use disorders doesn’t rely exclusively on the patient’s determination. Given the substantial chance of relapse, familial backing and involvement are crucial for sustaining therapy. Specialists emphasize that engaging in ‘familial education’ programs offered by specialized treatment centers serves as a vital initial step in tackling these issues.

How does increased alcohol consumption among middle-aged individuals pose greater risks to their well-being?

Individuals in the middle age bracket tend to have higher levels of body fat and lower moisture content, which makes their bodies less efficient at processing alcohol compared to younger people even when consuming similar amounts. Consequently, this elevates the likelihood of developing several serious health issues including cirrhosis, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, and liver cancer.

Furthermore, consuming alcohol hampers the operation of the central nervous system as it raises the alcohol levels within the brain’s blood vessels. With reduced cerebral activity, one experiences diminished decision-making abilities and perceptiveness, heightened mood swings, and severe impairment of memory functions.

When severe alcohol abuse progresses, it may result in alcoholic dementia. This condition involves significant impairment of brain cells caused by prolonged heavy drinking, leading to declines in various cognitive abilities including intellect, learning, and language due to disruptions in neural pathways within the brain. Distinct from age-related dementia, alcoholic dementia often includes diminished functioning of the frontal lobes, impairing impulse control and manifesting as increased irritability and a heightened tendency towards anger and violent outbursts.

Director Haun-sik stated, “Alcohol-induced dementia can develop quite early in life.” He advised those whose occupations often involve alcohol consumption to carefully examine their drinking behaviors. If they find it challenging to address these issues alone, he urged them to promptly seek help from local facilities specialized in treating alcohol dependency or supporting addiction management.