Nearly a third of men over 65 in North Somerset are drinking a harmful amount of alcohol – putting them at a higher risk of falls, cancer and mental health issues.
Drug and alcohol charity Addaction is launching a campaign to highlight the risks of excess alcohol consumption and to offer support to people struggling to break the habit.
According to the Weston-based charity, the age group with the highest proportion of men and women who drink alcohol is 55-64, while almost a third of men aged 65-74 consume more than the daily recommended limit compared to 20 per cent of women in the same age-group.
The majority of people surveyed said they started drinking more due to retirement, other reasons given included bereavement and loss of a sense of purpose in life.
Gill Flanagan from Addaction said: “Alcohol is part of many cultures and is marketed as helping to celebrate and socialise.
“However, drinking too much on a single occasion or over time can have serious consequences for people’s health, families, relationships, work and self-esteem.
“That’s why we’re looking in more depth at alcohol in this campaign, to help people in North Somerset make informed decisions about their own health.”
Alcohol affects people more as they age leaving people more at risk of falls, depression and cancer.
Last year 325 men over the age of 65 in North Somerset were admitted to hospital due to alcohol-related conditions, along with 149 women of the same age.
Addaction is launching a campaign to raise awareness about harmful drinking in North Somerset and how the charity can support people.
Research carried out by Addaction revealed stigma is the biggest barrier to people asking for support – a quarter of people surveyed said they would not tell anyone if they needed help.
Addaction North Somerset can provide advice, support and information in a confidential and non-judgemental way.
The charity’s base in the Boulevard also runs specific groups for people aged 50 plus.
Anyone worried about their own or someone else’s alcohol consumption can make use of the free web chat option at www.addaction.org.uk or call 01934 427940.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here