Developing Pathways for older adults who are also drinking at increased-risk levels:
Hampshire Older adults Alcohol Pathway (HOAAP)
Chief Investigator: Julia Sinclair, Professor of Addiction Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton.
Co-Investigators:
Skaiste Linceviciute, Research Fellow, NIHR ARC Wessex, University of Southampton
Gabrielle A Palermo, Senior Research Assistant, NIHR ARC Wessex, University of Southampton
Stephanie Hughes, Research Fellow, NIHR ARC Wessex, University of Southampton
Becky Band, Associate Professor, University of Swansea
Melinda King, Lived Experience Consultant
Stephen Lim, Consultant Geriatrician, NIHR ARC Wessex Ageing and Dementia Theme Lead, University Hospital Southampton
Partners: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, University of Southampton, Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Wessex Health Partners, Inclusion (community treatment provider of addiction services), CGL, ‘With you’ Community Addiction Services Bournemouth and Poole, NIHR School of Primary care
Start: 1 October 2024
End: 31 March 2026
Summary
Alcohol once swallowed is absorbed into every organ of the body as well as affecting the mind. Although approximately 80% of people in Wessex drink alcohol, many people remain unaware of the harm it causes even at relatively low levels. As people age, they are more likely to develop long term health conditions, which alcohol can adversely affect as well as putting them at increased risk of medication interactions, memory problems, and falls.
We know that older adults may feel more uncomfortable talking about their alcohol use compared with younger people. This can create barriers to accessing help. Beyond this, very little is known about the reasons why older adults drink alcohol and how this may interact with other aspects of their lives.
The aim of this project was to build on our first study funded by the ARC Wessex, Older Adults, Loneliness and Alcohol (OLA), which recruited individuals over 65 years admitted to University Hospital Southampton (UHS) whose alcohol consumption was at increased risk levels. In collaboration with local clinicians and researchers, the study generated evidence that informed a follow-on project focused on alcohol use among community-dwelling older adults.
To date we have undertaken the following studies:
“Modelling the Impact of People with Alcohol Use Disorder on Clinical Outcomes and Healthcare Use” - in collaboration with Southampton Emerging Therapies and Technologies (SETT) Centre, and the Wessex Secure Data Environment (SDE). We have accessed and begun the analysis of retrospective, routinely collected data from all patients admitted to UHS between January 2017 - June 2025. There are over 95,000 inpatient discharges during this time. This work is supporting the investigation of associations between alcohol use disorder, clinical outcomes and healthcare use, as well as helping to refine the processes required to analyse data in the SDE.
“Understanding lifestyle and alcohol consumption in older adults: a qualitative study” - We interviewed a community sample of individuals across Wessex over the age of 65 years, who consume alcohol and experience other potentially challenging contributing factors, to learn about their lifestyle choices, daily routines and demands with a scope for exploring alcohol consumption and related experiences. This study identified a range of alcohol consumers with diverse life factors, demonstrating the need for tailored health messaging/ advice and wellbeing support.
Brought together an engaged and active stakeholder group of experts by experience and training in this field; including patients, carers, clinicians, social care workers, community support providers, commissioners and academics to inform our research planning and undertaking, to exchange and disseminate the learning and to build a network of collaborations to apply for further funding to take this work forward.
These three strands of work have supported necessary evidence and partnership infrastructure building that will now require to be taken forward.