A recent government health survey found that 1 to 5 per cent of elderly people who drank more than occasionally were ‘problem drinkers’, reporting significant psychological and/or physical dependence on alcohol. Other studies have found higher proportions of elderly problem drinkers, especially in men. One found 5 - 12 per cent of men in their 60’s to have alcohol problems. Another possible measure is the proportion of older people exceeding government recommended “sensible limits” for regular consumption, although there is a question as to whether the limits are appropriate for the elderly, as they are based on evidence relating to younger age groups. Older people may be more.
