Blog: Is Dry January the healthiest way for older people to start the year?

Are you doing ‘Dry January’ has become a common refrain in recent years after the excesses of the festive season. But is abstinence the best option for health and wellbeing in later life? 

The long-term effects of alcohol on our bodies and brains have been much studied.  Binge drinking is consistently found to be harmful.

However a major review of global research in 2022 brought some comfort for older light drinkers.  It found that while alcohol is invariably harmful for younger adults, for people aged 40 plus without any underlying health conditions regularly drinking a small amount of alcohol may, on balance, be beneficial.

It’s complex.  Moderate drinking increases the risk of some health problems, including liver cirrhosis, but reduces the risk of others, including cardiovascular disease. Whether it will be beneficial overall also depends on the individual and their circumstances.

So how much is too much?  Public Health Guidelines advise no more than 14 units per week, with your drinking spread over several days and a few alcohol-free days a week.  (14 units is roughly 6 pints of beer or 6 small glasses of wine at medium strength.  You can find out more about typical alcohol units in common drinks here).

However the Royal College of Psychiatrists thinks older people may benefit from a weekly limit of less than 14 units.  Why?  Because as we age the same amount of alcohol will affect us more than it used to. Our judgement and balance can be affected more rapidly, for instance, making accidents more likely.

There are other considerations.  Alcohol makes us pee more, so we can become dehydrated unless we compensate by drinking more water.  That’s on top of us probably needing to pee more just because we’re getting older (our staying hydrated and bladder problems advice guides can tell you more).

Also, alcohol is dangerous when combined with certain medicines, so always read the leaflets that come with medication and if in doubt, ask your pharmacist.

Alcohol can affect our sleep. We might nod off more quickly, but the quality of our sleep will be worse.  Later life alone can result in more fragmented sleep, even without alcohol in the equation.

So, science suggests you can enjoy some alcohol safely in later life, if perhaps a little less than what would have been safe when you were in your middle years.

However, if you feel reliant on alcohol to help you cope with a difficult situation, or to relieve loneliness or boredom, then reaching out for support may be a good idea.

Visit the Drinkaware website www.drinkaware.co.uk for information about how to drink healthily, or if you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking.  You might also consider a chat with your doctor, or someone you trust.