Half of middle-aged British men classed as problem drinkers: Average 45 to 65-year-old downs two and a half times the recommended alcohol limit each week

Experts warn nearly half of middle-aged British men are problem drinkers
Those 45 to 65 risking health by downing average 16 pints of beer a week
That is more than two and a half times the recommended limit of six pints
Overall 3.5million middle-aged men are now regularly drinking too much

Source: Daily Mail
By Ben Spencer, Medical Correspondent For The Daily Mail
12 May 2016

Nearly half of middle-aged British men are problem drinkers, downing an average 16 pints of beer a week, experts warned yesterday.

These 44 per cent of men aged 45 to 65 are risking their health by drinking more than the recommended limit of 14 units a week – about six pints of beer.

Their average consumption of 16 pints is 37 units a week – more than two and a half times the recommended limit.

However, one in ten men, about 800,000, drink at least 50 units – equal to 21 pints.

Overall, 3.5million middle-aged men are regularly drinking too much, according to a report today by the charity Drinkaware.

Hospital admissions linked to drinking are highest among middle-aged men – more than double the under-40s’ figures.

Doctors say men who drink heavily are a health time bomb, facing an increased risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes and dementia, and likely to cost the NHS millions of pounds.

Yet polling reveals that 53 per cent of men do not believe the advice, and say drinking above the cap will not harm their health.

The report shows that of all middle-aged adults, men drink on average 20 units a week, while women drink ten units a week.

One unit is equal to half a pint of 3.6 per cent beer or cider, half a 175ml glass of 12 per cent wine, or a single 25ml glass of 40 per cent spirits such as whisky.

It suggests middle-aged men are Britain’s most problematic drinkers, while younger people are drinking less – although they tend to binge at weekends rather than drink every day.

The report states: ‘Just under half of 18 to 24-year-olds say they drink at least once a week (48 per cent), this rises to 55 per cent of 25 to 45-year-olds and further still to 60 per cent of 45 to 65-year-olds.

Wider research shows drinking patterns in the UK are changing slowly, driven by younger age groups drinking less frequently and by an increasing proportion of abstainers in the youngest groups.’ Wealthier, middle-class men and women are drinking more than the poor, the researchers found.

According to the report, based on polling by Ipsos MORI, alcohol is often an emotional ‘crutch’ for middle-aged men, with half drinking at least some of the time to cheer themselves up.

Men within this group are also affected by peer pressure, with 45 per cent admitting they drink to fit in with a group or to be liked.

Elaine Hindal, of Drinkaware, said: ‘For a large number of middle-aged men, drinking is part of their daily routine and often goes unnoticed. As there are often no immediate negative consequences, they are unaware how their drinking may be impacting on their health.

‘Reducing alcohol consumption by just a few drinks each week can make a big difference to their long-term health. This includes reducing blood pressure, improving mental health, losing weight and increasing energy levels.’

Official alcohol guidelines were overhauled in January in the biggest shake-up for 30 years. Limits for men were cut from 21 units to 14 units a week, bringing them in line with those for women.

Some 10 per cent of men drink 14 to 21 units a week, meaning they were drinking safe levels last year but are now drinking too much.

Jackie Ballard, of Alcohol Concern, said drinking continued to be a ‘leading risk factor’ in death statistics, adding: ‘To ensure people make an informed choice about how much they drink, we are calling for mandatory health warnings on alcohol products.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3587996/Half-middle-aged-British-men-classed-problem-drinkers-Average-45-65-year-old-downs-two-half-times-recommended-alcohol-limit-week.html#ixzz48WNOmts3