Emergence of Late-Onset Drinking Problems in Adults Over 50
Psychology Today | 23.05.2026 22:25
Most people associate drinking problems with youth and the early decades of adulthood. Yet in clinical practice, many alcohol problems first emerge after age 50, or quietly return during the second half of adulthood after appearing controlled for decades. Research confirms this pattern is growing: Alcohol use, binge drinking, and alcohol use disorders have all increased among older adults in recent years, with particularly sharp rises among women (Keyes, 2023).
