Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who drink heavily may be at higher risk for falls than those with MCI who do not have alcohol use disorder. A preliminary study of adults published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that heavy drinkers with MCI are less stable on their feet compared to similarly aged people, both with and without MCI, who do not drink heavily. The strongest correlates of postural instability were age and past-year alcohol use, suggesting that reducing or stopping drinking may lower the risk of falls and maybe even dementia.
