Middle-aged Britons riskier drinkers than teens

Middle-aged men and women are regularly drinking above the “higher risk” limits according to a new study, revealing them as Britain’s “hidden drinkers”.

One-third of 45 to 64-year-olds drink to increasing or “higher risk” levels

The study by UK charity Drinkaware, called The Drinkaware Monitor: a survey of drinking behaviours and attitudes in the UK, was compiled using a survey of 2,294 adults aged 18-75 living in the UK.
The findings revealed that one-third of 45 to 64-year-olds drink to increasing or “higher risk” levels – equivalent to more than 35 units per week for women, and more than 50 units for men – compared with one-fifth of 18 to 24-year-olds.
While young adults tend to drink large amounts on one or two occasions a week, the report revealed middle aged drinkers are more likely to spread their drinking across the week, with most saying they are “not getting drunk”.

Two-thirds of increasing or higher risk middle aged drinkers drink four or more times a week, levels associated with serious health problems, including liver disease and cancer, according to the charity.
In addition, 28% of people in this category believe that moderate drinking is good for your health, and 50% believe they are unlikely to have a higher chance of developing health problems in later life if they continue drinking at their current level.

Elaine Hindal, Drinkaware chief executive, said: “In contrast to public perceptions that young adults are the more risky drinkers in the UK, in fact over the course of the week, their parents’ generation are drinking more.
“Our research shows that 45 to 64-year-olds could potentially be sleepwalking into long term health problems as a result of their drinking patterns.

“Regularly drinking above the lower risk limits can increase your tolerance to the short-term effects of alcohol – but not to the strain it’s putting on your liver. As your tolerance increases, you’re more likely to drink more.

“This habitual behaviour could also put you at an increased risk of becoming alcohol dependent. Just because you don’t feel like you are drinking enough to get drunk, doesn’t mean you aren’t damaging .

“This is one of the main reasons it’s important to give your liver a break by taking regular days off from drinking.”