A new survey finds that regular use of alcohol among older Americans has jumped in the past 20 years, that's according to a study published recently in the journal "Alcoholism."
Researchers analyzed more than 145-thousand responses to the national health interview survey submitted between 1997 and 2014.
The data showed a steady increase in the number of older adults who consumed alcohol.
more men than women reported drinking regularly.
The largest percentage increases were seen in the female population.
Twenty years ago, 54-percent of older men said they were current drinkers compared to nearly 60-percent in 2014.
But the number of older women who drank regularly rose from nearly 38-percent in 1997 to over 47-percent in the same time period.
Researchers say this is significant because the body's ability to metabolize alcohol changes as we age.
Medications taken frequently by aging adults can also interact with alcohol.
Even standard prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can have dangerous results if mixed with alcohol.
