Nearly one in four over 50s in the South West are binge drinking at least one a month in lockdown, according to new research released by the drug, alcohol and mental health charity With You (We Are With You).

An Opinion Matters poll, commissioned by With You, shows how the necessary restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus are seriously impacting the drinking habits of older adults in the South West. 13% of over 50s said alcohol is negatively affecting their mental health. Meanwhile, more than one in four said lockdown restrictions have led to them drinking alone.

A recent study from the Centre for Ageing Better found 32% of people aged between 50 and 70 have been drinking more as a result of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that people over 55 are most likely to drink at hazardous levels, with consumption among this group increasing in recent years while it decreases among younger age groups. With You’s research shows the scale of this issue looks set to increase in the South West over the next few weeks, with nearly three in four over 50s saying they are likely to drink even more due to a second national lockdown.

The poll also showed how the over 50s drinking can impact their loved ones. More than one in four people in the South West with parents who are over 50 are concerned about at least one of their parents’ drinking habits since March and one in four (25%) think their parents are likely to drink more as a result of a second lockdown. At the same time one in five over 50s in the South West said they would not ask anyone for help in relation to their drinking.

To help more older adults access the support they need, With You is launching a new over-50s specific alcohol helpline using learning from its Drink Wise Age Well programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. It is a free, national helpline, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, running seven days a week where you can speak to a trained advisor for confidential advice, information and support to anyone aged 50 or over who may be worried about their drinking. Just call 0808 8010750 or visit www.wearewithyou.org.uk for more information.

Mary Greener, National Drink Wise, Age Well Legacy Coordinator at With You said:

“We know that life changes such as bereavement, retirement and a lack of purpose have led to older adults drinking more in recent years while younger generations are drinking less. Nearly 80% of over 50s we work with drink at home alone, hidden from view.

“It’s clear from these findings that the necessary coronavirus restrictions have exacerbated these issues whilst having a big impact on older adult’s mental health. Many older adults are unable to see their loved ones or friends and are drinking more as a way to cope with increased loneliness, isolation and anxiety. As people age their bodies find it harder to process alcohol, so the number of people over 50 who are binge drinking at the current time is really alarming. The impact of this will ripple through families as well as support services and the NHS.

“Across our whole society, only one in five dependent drinkers are accessing support, with older adults often facing additional barriers to coming forward. Our work shows over 50s are most likely to reach out to a service that’s specifically aimed at them. That’s why we are launching this helpline. To anyone 50 or over who’s concerned about their drinking, give us a call. You’ll speak to someone who understands what you’re going through and can support you to make healthier choices that will benefit all parts of your life.”

Andy (53) accessed support with With You during the pandemic this year. He said:

“I started drinking heavily a few years after leaving the army. I lost touch with family and friends and would drink to get through the evenings. I’m not surprised there’s been an increase in people my age binge drinking at the current time. When the first national lockdown came in it gave me even more of a reason to drink at home. I could knock back two bottles of wine in an hour easily. What else was there to do?

“Then one day I just thought I’ve had enough. I made a few calls and was referred to a With You service. I was pleasantly surprised that my worker, Lorna, didn’t judge me or label me an alcoholic. She asked me what I wanted to achieve and concentrated on me as a person rather than the alcohol. We worked on being more sociable and filling my time in different ways. With her help, alcohol doesn’t have the same hold over me anymore. I still have the occasional drink but nothing like a few months ago.

“To the millions of people out there going through a similar experience, my message is don’t give up. Changing your relationship with alcohol can seem like an uphill task but you’d be amazed at what you can achieve with the right support.”