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Before the lockdown, Carole, 55, spent weeks without drinking before embarking on days of wine binging. Since March, however, he has been drinking four bottles every day.
“I haven’t seen anyone since March because I’m not in anyone’s bubble,” he said. “I’ve always been a drinker, but now this is desperation. I’m just freaking out for being alone. “
This is a similar story for many others across the UK, according to a survey by the alcohol charity We Are With You which suggests an increase in high-risk alcohol consumption among the over 50s amid restrictions imposed to control alcohol. spread of the coronavirus.
Nearly one in four (24%) is believed to be at high risk or possibly addicted, the Opinion Matters study of more than 1,150 people in the age group indicates. This increased from 17% in 2016.
It also found that around 51% of people over 50 could consume alcohol to a level that could harm their health, with more than 4 million drinking more than four drinks in one sitting at least once a week.
Across the UK population, a study of over 27,000 people from the University of Glasgow suggests an increase in people drinking more than six drinks in one sitting at least once a week from 10.8% in 2017-19 to 16.2% during the block. with an increase in all age groups except those under 25.
“I’m used to being alone, but I could go a few days or even weeks without drinking,” said Carole, an unemployed publisher in Huddersfield. “Now I drink every day. My weight has increased and I am very depressed for everything. Drinking clears the sadness in that moment; not being able to visit my brothers was a hard blow “.
Frustrated at not being able to access alcohol services in person, she receives a monthly phone call from a charity but it is not enough to help her break the habit. “I’ve always drank to excess but never needed to drink. Now I wake up with the need to drink, ”he said.
Lockdown was a similar story for Damien, 53, a lecturer who lives just outside Rochdale. “I definitely drank a lot more,” he said. “It just built up over a period of weeks and months. I also exercised less and ate more. I also have friends who have fallen into similar rabbit holes. “
It was easy for him to fall into a situation where most days it was almost a psychological expectation to have at least one bottle of wine, and maybe a couple of bottles.
Cases of covid
“It affects my mood so badly the next day, I feel so down,” he added. “I know it’s best for my well-being not to drink, but it’s just such a big thing culturally and I find it impossible to avoid it.”
However, at the end of the summer, he began to question his lifestyle and choices, and with the help of his partner he was able to reduce his alcohol consumption. “It took me several months to quit drinking during the week,” he said.
“When I’ve had some free time to drink and feel good, there’s almost a trigger that requires a drink to celebrate; made me more aware of my psychology. “
She started going to the gym and swimming again in September, but her new routine was cut short after the second block was announced. Now he is trying to get back into the habit of running regularly.
To help older seniors access support, We Are With You is launching a National Lottery-funded alcohol helpline for 50+. It comes after research by the Center for Aging Better found that unhealthy habits may have become more ingrained since the start of the block, with 32% of 50-70-year-olds estimated to drink more.
Analysis of official data from the Royal College of Psychiatrists also found that the prevalence of people who drink at higher risk was nearly one-fifth (19%) in June, up from 10.8% in February. It called for substantial investment in public health to prevent more lives from being “unnecessarily lost” to addiction following cuts in alcohol and drug services between 2013 and 2018.
Julie Breslin, head of the Drink Wise, Age Well program at We Are With You, suggests that Covid has made functional alcohol addiction more possible thanks to people working at home en masse.
“Nearly 80 percent of over 50s work with drinks at home alone, hidden from view,” he said. “It is clear from these findings that the necessary restrictions on the coronavirus have exacerbated these problems while having a large impact on the mental health of the elderly.
“Many seniors are unable to see loved ones or friends and drink more as a way to cope with greater loneliness, isolation and anxiety. As people get older, their bodies find it harder to handle alcohol, so the number of people over 50 who are drinking uncontrollably at the moment is truly alarming. “
Ian Hamilton, an addiction and mental health expert at the University of York, said the findings correlate with recent research and that those over 50 appear to be at increased risk of alcoholism during the pandemic.
“The problem is where they go for support,” he said. “The treatment was already quite difficult to undertake before Covid, but particularly for the 50+ I am not sure how willing they will be to participate in virtual groups, I suspect they would prefer something more personal or tailored, if they can get it at all.”
* Names have been changed.
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