Life doesn’t stop offering new possibilities, no matter your age. For many older adults, retirement and other life changes allow extra opportunities for reflection, and sometimes, that reflection reveals a growing concern about alcohol use. You might realize that drinking has become a more regular habit than you’d like. Maybe it’s interfering with your health, relationships, or peace of mind.
While excessive alcohol use among seniors is common and often overlooked, it can have serious physical and mental consequences. Fortunately, specialized treatment options exist that are designed with your stage of life in mind.
Alvarado Parkway Institute’s Center on Aging and inpatient treatment program in San Diego are built to support older adults seeking meaningful change. With care that honors your experience and promotes dignity, you can explore what your life might look like without alcohol.
How Does Alcohol Affect Older Adults?
Drinking is a big part of American culture. Even so, it might surprise you to learn just how common alcohol use is among older adults. In fact, according to a recent survey, about 12% of older adults reported binge drinking within the last month. Chronic pain, loneliness, retirement, or the loss of a partner can lead to increased use as a way to cope.
The effects of alcohol aren’t the same at 70 as they were at 21 or even 40. Our bodies change, and alcohol’s impact becomes more pronounced. Aging gradually slows the body’s ability to break down alcohol. This can lead to quicker intoxication, increased fall risk, liver damage, and interactions with medications.
Some older adults have lived with alcohol dependency for decades. Others find themselves developing new drinking habits later in life. No matter the circumstances, recognizing the problem is the first step toward reclaiming wellness.
Reduced Health Risks Through Supervised Detox
For anyone who’s been drinking regularly, stopping suddenly can bring about serious withdrawal symptoms. For seniors, those risks are even higher. Seizures, blood pressure spikes, confusion, and other medical issues are not uncommon, and managing them at home isn’t safe, especially if you live alone.
Our inpatient treatment at Alvarado Parkway Institute includes a brief, supervised detox process to ensure you have access to medical support while weaning off alcohol. Our staff is available day and night to monitor your health, adjust your medication, and guide you through withdrawal as comfortably and safely as possible.
Seniors often take medications for heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, or other conditions, and alcohol can interfere with how effective they are. We work closely with you to manage your prescriptions, address chronic health concerns, and support your physical recovery.
Eating nutrient-dense foods and drinking plenty of water are essential to building your strength back up, especially if alcohol has interfered with your appetite or digestion. These early stages of recovery are critical, and in a structured environment, you’ll have everything you need.
Improved Mental Health and Emotional Stability
Many people opt for alcohol to dull painful feelings of sadness, anxiety, or trauma. Over time, though, alcohol can actually increase your emotional distress and make it harder to cope with life’s challenges.
If you have used alcohol to escape from unpleasant feelings, dual diagnosis treatment, which addresses both alcohol use and mental health, will serve as an important part of your recovery. In our inpatient program, we take a compassionate and age-sensitive approach to therapy, focusing on what really matters to you at this point in your life.
Whether you’re dealing with unresolved grief, a history of trauma, or simply the weight of accumulated stress, your concerns are approached with care and respect. We offer both individual and group support adapted for older adults.
Beyond relieving your symptoms, inpatient rehab can help you start reconnecting with yourself. Many seniors find new confidence, emotional clarity, and even joy as they return to a more stable place.
Strengthened Family Relationships
Alcohol use can strain relationships, sometimes silently and over many years. It can create emotional distance, hurt feelings, or misunderstandings that are difficult to talk about openly. Inpatient rehab encourages the start of those conversations with professional guidance.
Family therapy is a key part of treatment at Alvarado Parkway Institute. These sessions give you and your loved ones a chance to express your concerns in a safe space and begin to rebuild trust. These shared moments can be deeply healing, reconnecting you with your partner, your children, or others you hold close to your heart.
Our team also provides education for family members regarding how to support your recovery in a healthy, sustainable way. This information can help your loved ones understand what it looks like to stand by you as you pursue long-term wellness.
A Clear Path Toward Long-Term Sobriety
Inpatient rehab is just the beginning for seniors who wish to get sober. What happens next is where the real change happens.
Every senior leaves our treatment center with a personalized aftercare plan designed to support continued recovery. For you, that might include a partial hospitalization program, outpatient therapy, support groups, or other forms of follow-up care. Our team will ensure that your plan aligns with your goals, your lifestyle, and your health needs.
You’ll also be encouraged to explore new routines that help keep you grounded, such as taking daily walks, enjoying creative hobbies, joining a community group, or volunteering. Staying active and socially connected is a powerful way to stay on track and remember the progress you’ve made.
Contrary to what many people think, sobriety is less about deprivation and more about living with greater clarity, comfort, and peace. With professional support from Alvarado Parkway Institute, you can experience the life-changing benefits of inpatient alcohol rehab.
Inpatient Alcohol Rehab for Seniors in San Diego
There’s no rule that says change can’t happen in your later years. Every day is a new chance to take your life in a healthier direction. If alcohol has become a concern in your life, now is the time to seek treatment.
Alvarado Parkway Institute specializes in treating older adults with compassion and respect. Our Center on Aging and inpatient alcohol rehab program in San Diego are built to address the needs you have in this specific season of your life. Learn more about how we can help you or a loved one take the first step toward a healthier and better future. Reach out to our team today.
