Alcohol consumption patterns in the elderly is analysed with the purpose of affording proper information to prevent the risks associated with alcohol abuse in this age group and implementing the training programs for health professionals and voluntary associations. In the province of Bari, 2,202 elderly people were provided with a short questionnaire, having the aim of detecting which subjects are more likely to abuse alcohol: by means of a shortened version of the AUDIT test, it was possible to examine how and to what extent alcoholic beverages are consumed. The answers have been associated to potential chronic conditions and a daily use of medications. The  ndings measure that 19% of the elderly people interviewed show evidences of hazardous alcohol consumption, which increases at the age of retirement and decreases after the age of 75. Furthermore, it can be observed that a hazardous alcohol consumption occurs in a percentage between 14 and 15% among those who, respectively, suffer from chronic condition and/or take medications.