Boomers turn boozers with pandemic savings
Psychiatrists alarmed by rise in mental health issues caused by heavy drinking among older age groups
Baby boomers deprived of holidays, sport and socialising during the lockdown are instead spending their money on alcohol, fuelling a surge in mental ill health, according to psychiatrists. Dr Emily Finch, vice-chairman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists addictions faculty and a government adviser, said young pensioners in the ABC 1 bracket had turned to alcohol as lockdown deprived them of their freedom and friends.
BABY boomers deprived of holidays, sport and socialising during lockdown are spending the money saved on alcohol, fuelling a surge in mental ill health, according to psychiatrists. Dr Emily Finch, vice-chairman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists addictions faculty and a government adviser, said young pensioners in the ABC 1 bracket had turned to alcohol as lockdown deprived them of their freedom and friends.
“If you’re a young pensioner with a reasonable income, you are not going on holiday, you are saving money, and alcohol is something that’s readily available,” said Dr Finch, a member of the Government’s advisory council on the misuse of drugs. A survey of the college’s psychiatrists found that 45 per cent had seen a rise in patients whose alcohol or drug use had contributed to a deterioration in their mental health during the pandemic. “One thing about lockdown is that you lose your routine, so most of us would have been out and about all day doing things that mean you’re less likely to get to six o’clock and think I’ve nothing to do, I might as well have a drink,” said Dr Finch.
Public Health England showed that older age groups all significantly increased their alcohol intake during lockdown, with a fifth of those aged 45-74 drinking more than 21 units a week. Those aged 55-64 who drank at least a pint a day (three units) jumped from 17.4 per cent to 20.6 per cent with one in 20 consuming more than 50 units, almost three pints, a day. The only age group to drink less in lockdown was aged 18-24, down from 7.6 to 6.2 per cent drinking more than 21 units.
Dr Finch said there were two categories worrying the college, those with mental health problems drinking because of their depression or anxiety, and those increasing their intake raising their risk of mental or physical ill health. “Many people have lost the protective factors they had, friends, their economic livelihoods,” she said.
Katherine Severi, chief executive of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, said baby boomers were being targeted by wine club promotions and special bulk buy offers. “They are nudged into potentially harmful behaviours,” said Ms Severi. Both the college and the institute backed the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol, which has already been adopted in Scotland where no alcoholic drinks can be sold for less than 50p per unit.
Dr Finch also called for an overhaul of addiction treatment services, which had seen 30 per cent cuts in budgets since responsibility for them was handed over to local authorities. She hoped that a report commissioned by the Government from Prof Dame Carol Black and due next month would recommend reinstating a greater role for the NHS to treat victims of alcohol and drug addiction.