Boomers big boozers

More than 15% of Australians aged between 45-64 drink seven or more drinks a day for men or five for women, which are levels considered highly risky by experts. In only 10 years, risky and highly risky drinking levels among baby boomers reaching retirement have soared, overtaking the level of abuse among young people.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has just released figures showing a huge rise in the proportion of problem drinkers – from 8.2% of the population in 1995 to 13.4 % in 2004-05.

Risky drinking has increased even though the relative levels of alcohol being drunk by Australians has fallen, suggesting that as some have moderated their use, patterns of much heavier use have emerged elsewhere.

Women drinking at levels considered risky has almost doubled from 6.2% to 11.7%.

The most striking changes are however in people approaching retirement, according to the figures. Ten years ago about 7.5% of people aged 55-64 were heavy drinkers. This has risen to over 15%.

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has warned baby boomers not to be complacent about alcohol abuse. A lot of older people were deluding themselves about the positive effects of alcohol, saying it was good for their health.