MINNEAPOLIS, March 7, 2008—Nearly one in 10 older Americans is an “unhealthy drinker,” according to a study published this week in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Drinking more than they can tolerate puts these people at risk for risk for medical problems, social trouble and falls.

Having more than seven drinks a week, or more than three drinks in a single day, is more than the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends.

The recommendation is half the amount suggested for for men under 65, for whom NIAAA recommends a limit of two daily drinks.

Older bodies metabolize alcoholic beverages differently, and what was reasonable when you were 50 puts you in danger when you are 65.

Nearly half of the drinkers in the study exceeded the recommended limit, by drinking more than seven drinks a week or 30 per month.

About 30 percent had more serious habits, exceeding the limits for daily drinking or drinking too much in a single sitting.

On the other hand, about two-thirds of people 65 and older said they don't drink at all.

Researchers were interested to learn that older over-drinkers were less likely to be depressed than non-drinkers or those who drank within recommended limits. About 6 percent of the risky drinkers reported being depressed most of the previous year -- compared to 82 percent of the nondrinkers.

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