According to a New Zealand Massey University study, an alarmingly large number of older people are drinking to dangerous levels, causing concern among Australian and overseas doctors.

Up to 40 per cent of older people are drinking 5 or more times weekly and binge drinking, increasing the likelihood of sickness and disease. Sadly this age group is overlooked when it comes to responsible drinking messages.

And the problem isn’t limited to New Zealand, in Australia women over 50 are leading the harmful trend of binge drinking, according to GP and addiction specialist Dr Hester Wilson.

The doctor added that at this age our bodies don’t bounce back in the same way, particularly our livers. As we get older we feel the effects of alcohol more.

Also people of this age group are more likely to be on medication – which shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol.