# Bidirectional relationships between pain and alcohol use among older adults: a scoping review

## TL;DR

This review explores how pain and alcohol use influence each other in older adults, finding that pain can lead to alcohol use, but the long-term effects of alcohol on pain are unclear.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive synthesis of bidirectional relationships between pain and alcohol use in older adults, highlighting a gap in existing research.

## Key findings

- Pain can motivate alcohol use among older adults.
- The long-term effects of alcohol use on pain outcomes remain unclear.
- There are significant research gaps in understanding these relationships in older adults.

## Abstract

Pain and alcohol use are highly prevalent and frequently co-occur among older adults. An established reciprocal model suggests that pain and alcohol use interact in the manner of a positive feedback loop. However, older adults have been underrepresented in this work.

We conducted a scoping review to answer the following research questions: (a) What is known regarding the effects of alcohol use on pain among older adults? and (b) What is known regarding the effects of pain on alcohol use among older adults?

A total of 15 studies describing interrelationships between pain and alcohol use among older adults were identified and described in this review.

Findings provided convergent evidence that pain can motivate alcohol use in older adults. The effects of alcohol use on longer-term pain outcomes are less clear in this population. Major gaps and directions for future research are described.