Middle-aged urged to have two alcohol-free hours a week

A new campaign is urging people between the ages of 45 and 65 to have regular “drink-free” hours.

Middle-aged drinkers are more likely than other age groups to drink more than the recommended 14 units a week.

Doctors say “drink-free” hours will improve sleep, help with weight loss and reduce the risk of high blood pressure and cancer.

Dr Simon Williams, a spokesman on liver disease for Public Health England said, “Having an hour off drinking gives you a chance to clean your system and give your liver a rest. It also has an immediate impact on your sleep and calorie consumption.

“People have also told us that the idea of a ‘drink-free’ hour is much easier to manage than cutting down, say, from waking up and continuously drinking eleven pints of lager, three bottles of wine and a treble G&T to waking up and continuously drinking eleven pints of lager, three bottles of wine and a double G&T.

“Just try and have an hour off once or twice a week.”

Dr Williams suggested one way to cut down would be to try one of the newly fashionable beverages known as “tea” or “coffee” at 11am, rather than just carrying on with last night’s wine with your breakfast, swigging vodka from a water bottle in the office, or nipping into Wetherspoon’s for a pre-lunch pint or three.

Dr Williams said, “Most middle-aged people are not drinking to become drunk. They see it as a social activity, or as a reward for success or compensation for a hard day at work. It’s become a habit and part of their lives.

“And who can fucking blame us? Take a look around you at the world. No wonder we all fucking drink. You’re my best mate you are. Come here. I fucking love you.”

Advertisement

TopicalT-shirts

Wear your opinions and maybe even annoy a politician or two!

See the full collection →