Middle-aged men ignore alcohol health risks

More than half of middle-aged men between 45 and 64-years-old “don’t believe” drinking alcohol could affect their health, according to a new study.

Drinkaware study shows middle-aged men do not believe alcohol has an impact on their health

Conducted by alcohol education charity Drinkaware, the research revealed approximately 3.5 million middle-aged men are drinking more than the recommended maximum of 14 units per week, averaging around 37 units each week.

Of these drinkers, 53% believe their drinking does not have an impact on their health.

As such, Drinkaware has launched a new campaign designed to encourage middle-aged men to cut down their alcohol intake and feel the benefits – ‘Have a little less, feel a lot better’.

“For a large number of middle-aged men, drinking is part of their daily routine and often goes unnoticed,” said Elaine Hindal, chief executive at Drinkaware.

“As there are often no immediate negative consequences to their drinking, they are unaware of how their drinking may be impacting on their health.

“Our ‘Have a little less, feel a lot better’ campaign, which launches today, aims to show these drinkers that reducing alcohol consumption, even by just a few drinks each week can begin to make a big difference to their long-term health.

“This includes reducing blood pressure, improving mental health, losing weight and increasing energy levels.”

The research also suggested around 800,000 men in this age group are drinking 50 units or more in a “typical week”.

The most recent government statistics also show the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in England are highest among middle-aged men, and more than double that of those under 40.

Furthermore, alcohol is seen as a “crutch” for middle-aged men, with half turning to alcohol at least one to brighten their mood if they are feeling down.

Peer pressure is also a contributing factor to how men in this age group drink, with 45% admitting to drinking at least some of the time in order to fit in with a group they like or aspire to be liked by.

Almost a third (29%) of middle-aged men who exceed the government guidelines said they could not stop drinking once they started.