A drink because it's hot? It causes dehydration, heat death, etc...Alcohol dependence among the elderly is serious even in the wind of sobriety
Jul 11, 2025
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Especially among the younger generation, the consumption of alcohol such as soju is decreasing significantly.
However, despite these changes, there is a problem to be noted. It is the issue of alcohol dependence among the elderly. While the younger generation refrains from drinking, the alcohol dependence problem of the elderly remains serious.
According to statistics from Dasarang Central Hospital, out of 3,761 inpatients counted from January 2019 to December 2024, 974 hospitalizations were in their 60s, more than 25% of the total. This means that one in four inpatients is in their 60s, and clearly shows that the drinking problem of the elderly is getting more serious.
"It is true that consumption of soju is decreasing, but the number of patients treated with alcohol dependence itself is not decreasing," said Jeon Dong-joon, head of the internal medicine department at Dasarang Central Hospital specializing in alcohol diseases. "Chronic drinking problems, especially for the elderly, are still serious.", he pointed out.
Most notably, alcohol dependence usually begins in the 20s, but the timing of treatment is often delayed because they are not aware that they are addicted.
In many cases, actual treatment does not begin until people in their 50s and 60s, so there are many cases where the right time for treatment has already been missed when the problem is recognized. In addition, summer is a season that further amplifies the risk of alcohol dependence.
External activities in the heat cause blood vessels to expand and sweat emissions to speed up water and electrolyte loss. Drinking alcohol in this state absorbs alcohol faster, increasing drunkenness faster, and body temperature rises further, making you more vulnerable to heat.
Many men in their 60s and older suffer from chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. In this state, drinking sharply raises blood pressure, makes it difficult to control blood sugar, and reduces drug effectiveness.
Repeated drinking while liver function is poor can worsen into hepatitis, further cirrhosis, and liver cancer in fatty liver
Patients with alcohol dependence may be in fatal situations such as dehydration, gastrointestinal bleeding, acute pancreatitis, heat stroke, and heart disease due to the overlapping diuretic effects of sweat and alcohol. In fact, there are many cases in which men in their 60s visit the emergency room due to acute liver damage and cardiovascular disease while drinking repeatedly using the heat as an excuse.
Director Jeon Yong-joon advised, "'Drinking alcohol makes you feel instantly cool, but this is an illusion, and alcohol raises your body temperature and expands your blood vessels, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease.'Drinking to sleep in the heat and morning drinking under the pretext of hangover may be a precursor to alcohol dependence, and if these habits continue, consult an expert.'
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
