Wealthy, educated, single men most likely to drink heavily in later life

Research on the drinking habits of the over-45s found that as they get older, people reduce the amount and the frequency at which they drink by up to a fifth. However, the extent of the reduction is affected by health, relationship status, income and education.

For both men and women, the wealthier and more educated drink larger quantities and more frequently, but those at the highest risk of heavy drinking in old age are educated, single men on high incomes.

Contrary to stereotypes, women who split from their partners reduced their drinking levels by more than 16 per cent while those in a partnership saw a drop of 11 per cent during the same period, the decade long study of 4,500 people by academics at Keele University and UCL found. Older people in poor health gave up alcohol the fastest, and women with poor health and lower levels of education are least likely to be heavy or frequent consumers.

Clare Holdsworth, professor of social geography at Keele, said: “Our findings suggest that the group most at risk of heavy drinking in later life is older single men with high levels of education and above average wealth. Our findings also challenge the assumption that the end of a partnership is associated with alcohol misuse in later life. In particular, our analysis of drinking behaviours demonstrates that change in partnership status for women is associated with a reduction in alcohol consumption. As a result it is not necessarily appropriate to target alcohol services at this group of older people.”

The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing found that at the beginning of the decade long study men consumed on average 19 units a week and women 14. In 2010 this had fallen to 14 and 7 respectively. Wealthier men with a university degree began the study drinking 34 units a week and it only fell to 28.

Prof Holdsworth said that this change could partly be attributed to people listening to medical advice as well as getting out and socialising less as they get older. She told the Times: “We have an image of who we think problem drinkers are, people who are lonely or down on their luck. But people who are drinking more are actually enjoying themselves.”

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. Women who split from their partners are generally believed to drink more.

b. Ill women who are not well educated drink heavily.

c. Married men drink more than single men when they grow old. Ill women who are not well educated drink heavily.

d. The study has been going on for at least ten years.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. According to the study, who are the heaviest drinkers?

b. Why do people reduce their alcohol consumption?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning tothe words and definitions given.                                                                                                   

a. break up (par.3)                   b. stop, quit (par.3)                          c. in danger (par.4)

d. shows (par.4)                       e. drop (par.5)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a.     Women who split from their partners drink less than those in a partnership.

Women who split from their partners don’t ………………………………….

b.    “We have an image of who we think problem drinkers are, people who are lonely or down on their luck.”

Prof Holdsworth said that …………………………………………………………..  

c.     The extent of the reduction is affected by health, relationship status, income and education.                                                                                                                                   

Health …………………………………………………………………………

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:     

What kinds of social problems does alcohol cause in your country?