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Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 18, No. 6, 837-851 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264306293583

The Role of Medication Use and Health on the Decision to Quit Drinking Among Older Adults

Kristine E. Pringle

First Health Services Corporation/PA-PACE, pringlkr{at}fhsc.com

Debra A. Heller

First Health Services Corporation/PA-PACE and Pennsylvania State University

Frank M. Ahern

Pennsylvania State University

Carol H. Gold

Pennsylvania State University

Theresa V. Brown

Pennsylvania Department of Aging

Objectives: To determine the extent to which changes in medication use and health influence the decision to quit drinking among older adults.

Method: The sample consisted of 8,883 elderly enrolled in Pennsylvania's Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PA-PACE) program who completed surveys in 2000 and 2002. Survey data were linked with prescription claims to examine medication and health factors associated with drinking cessation between baseline and follow-up.

Results: Overall, 3.9% of those using alcohol at baseline quit drinking during the study period. Logistic regression results showed that individuals who initiated antipsychotic (OR = 2.92) and antineoplastic therapies (OR = 2.67) were the most likely to quit drinking.

Discussion: These findings support the hypothesis that elderly quit drinking in response to ill health. Results have implications for alcohol interventions in older adults and underscore the importance of separating former drinkers from lifetime abstainers in the study of alcohol-health relationships.

Key Words: alcohol • health • prescription drugs • alcohol-interactive drugs • drinking cessation


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