News release
Friday 8 January 2016
Media Release: For immediate use
NEW DRINKING GUIDELINES CONSIDER
EFFECT ON OLDER POPULATION
£25m Big Lottery funded project set up to tackle epidemic of alcohol-related harm
in over 50s comment.
News release
Julie Breslin, Drink Wise, Age Well Programme Lead said:
“Drink Wise, Age Well welcomes any change in the guidelines that makes it easier for people to
make healthier and more informed choices about their drinking. We know that people over 50
find current recommended alcohol guideline confusing, so it’s positive to see the weekly unit
amount unified for men and women at 14 units, along with clear advice to spread this over at
least three days. We also welcome the message that adopting alcohol free days is a way that
‘drinkers who wish to moderate their consumption can find useful’ as this provides a clear
starting point to make positive behaviour change.
Although the new guidance points out some benefit with very moderate drinking for women
aged 55 and over (less than 5 units per week) in relation to heart health , it is important to
remember that people drinking at or above the recommended low risk levels increase their risk
of illnesses, such as cancer.
News release
Drink Wise, Age well supports people to make healthier choices about alcohol as they age. We
are therefore happy to see older people specifically identified as a risk group under the
guidelines on single episodic drinking. They are right to highlight the increased risk to older
people, who are more likely to become intoxicated with less alcohol than younger people,
therefore more at risk of health harms
Additionally, research shows that older adults are more likely to drink every day than younger
age groups. They are therefore likely to be at higher risk of health harms - ,even within the 14
units per week recommended. This risk increases amongst the older adults become, for those
who are frail, or those who have a health condition exacerbated by alcohol or are taking
medications that interact negatively with alcohol.”
Drink Wise, Age Well is a 25m Big Lottery funded programme set up this year with the overall
aim of changing behaviour and reducing alcohol related-harm in the over 50s population.
-ENDSDrink Wise Age Well media contact:
Steve Williams, Communications and Public Affairs:
Tel: 0141 221 8390 steven.williams@addaction.org.uk
Drink Wise Age Well media contact:
Julie Breslin, Programme Lead: 07920287683
Notes to Editors:
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Drink Wise, Age Well will be delivered over a seven year period by a consortium led overall by
Addaction and in Northern Ireland by Addiction Northern Ireland, and including Royal Voluntary
Service,International Longevity Centre UK and Drug and Alcohol Charities Wales. The programme
will be evaluated by an academic team led the University of Bedfordshire’s Substance Misuse and
Ageing Research Team (SMART).
Each partner will take the lead in a demonstration area:
Western Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland: Addiction Northern Ireland (contact Director
Thelma Abernethy)
Cwm Taf Wales: Drug Aid (Director, Caroline Phipps)
Devon County, England: Addaction (Contact Sue Petters)
Sheffield City, England : Royal Voluntary Service- (Contact Paul Taylor, Karl Demian)
Glasgow City, Scotland: Addaction (Andrew Horne)
Research and Evaluation: Sarah Wadd, SMART who will lead a UK wide academic team
Policy- Sally Bamford. ILC-UK
The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery.
Ends//
Issued:SW