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Millions of Older People (55 and over) Are Drinking and Driving
In this blog, we’ll look at five of the common myths about drinking and driving amongst older people. With increasing numbers of Brits affected by alcohol addiction and receiving alcohol treatment, how many are failing breathalyser tests and having accidents on the road?
If you’re over 55 and your drinking is putting you or other people at risk, please call UKAT for a confidential alcohol assessment. If you can’t stop drinking and driving, it’s a sign of alcohol dependence. UKAT offers fast access to alcohol detox and rehab treatment, in affordable and luxury centres nationwide.
5 Myths about Drinking and Driving amongst Older People
Over the past 15 years, the “baby-boomer” generation have shown the highest increase in alcohol and drug misuse. In 2017-18, 17,408 alcohol-only treatment clients were 55 or over – that’s 23% of the alcohol-only treatment population.
With greater numbers of older people now drinking too much and getting addicted, how is this playing out on Britain’s roads? Direct Line’s research shows that driving while intoxicated amongst this age group is commonplace, often underpinned by myths and misinformation.
Myth 1: Older people are safer drivers, so they’re more reliable on the road, even after drinking
Over half a million people, aged 55 and over, believe that older drivers are safer on the road, so they pose less risk even if they drink and drive.
26% of all road accidents in 2017 involved older drivers. That’s 45,500 accidents (125 accidents every day).
Myth 2: It’s only a short journey, so it’s not so risky to drink and drive
According to the Direct Line Research, 1.2 million people in this age group admit to drinking and driving over short distances.
By downplaying the risks of short journeys, however, people can normalise drinking and driving. Short trips after drinking become a regular habit, putting road users and pedestrians in danger on multiple occasions.
Myth 3: A large meal soaks up alcohol and makes it safer to drive
Over one million people, aged 55+, believe that eating a big meal before driving reduces the effects of drinking alcohol.
It’s true that drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can speed up the rate of alcohol absorption – but your driving can still be unsafe if you drink alcohol with food.
As an older person, you won’t metabolise alcohol as efficiently as younger people. Eating a large meal just before driving can increase tiredness too.
Myth 4: Men are safer to drink and drive than women
More than one million older drivers believe that men can drink more than women and still be safe to drive.
When older people take strong prescription medications, including opiate-based painkillers or anti-depressants, the combination of drugs and alcohol can be very unpredictable. There’s a higher risk of alcohol-induced blackouts (memory loss), when alcohol and drugs, both prescribed and illicit, are mixed.
Myth 5: If you don’t feel drunk, it’s safe to drive
A decision to drive based on how you feel after drinking isn’t an accurate measure of your ability to drive safely. The effects of alcohol may feel very different when sitting at home, in a pub or a restaurant, than when you’re making split-second decisions behind the wheel.
Subtle changes to vision, including impaired night vision or peripheral vision, can make the difference between getting home safely and having a crash.
Data released by the Department for Transport statistics show that 15.3% of over-50s in England fail roadside breathalyser tests. Additionally, 750,000 older motorists said they might have been over the alcohol limit when driving the morning after drinking.
Drinking and Driving – A Sign of Alcohol Dependence
When people get addicted to alcohol, drinking takes priority over other activities and responsibilities in life. Addiction is a progressive disease – so typically the symptoms and consequences of alcohol misuse get worse over time.
As addiction takes hold, it’s common for addicts to justify actions or decisions that may have once been unacceptable to them. Drinking and driving is an example of this – where consuming alcohol becomes more important than driving safely and legally.
Buying into myths around alcohol and driving is a way of justifying drinking – even when it’s illegal to do so. It’s essential for alcohol addicts to understand these kinds of thought processes which play a crucial role in how addiction develops and progresses.
Some recovering addicts describe this as loss of their will power in active addiction; others see this is how alcohol affects their decision-making and attitudes to risk. Either way, it’s a sign of dependence on alcohol.
If you’re worried about how much alcohol you drink – or a relative is drinking to dangerous levels – UKAT can advise you on detox and rehab programmes. Our purpose is to provide excellent care and treatment to enable all those suffering from addictive disorders to achieve lifelong recovery. Get in touch with UKAT today to start your recovery process.
25 May 2022
This treatment centre has helped start my recovery and all the staff have been very helpful. Really enjoyed my stay here 10 weeks!
24 May 2022
Very good place to come the staff are great and the community was always so helpful
24 May 2022
Whilst Liberty House offers great value for money for those recovering from various addictions, and coming to terms with various personality disorders which may underpin these addictions, their community-based model has its cons. Budgetary restrictions place their incredible on-site staff under immense pressure. Nobody who works full-time at the centre itself is in it for the money. They work there because they care passionately about healing and recovery for their clients, but their passion and commitment is compromised by the financial model which underpins the business – and don’t forget that they are indeed a business; a private model where somebody up the chain is profiting, at the expense of its staff and paying customers. Like many residential rehabilitation centres, there are frequent repeat customers; one might assume that despite client recovery being a primary aim, the danger of relapsing is built into the business model. Let’s talk about the positives; this is mainly the staff. The core therapists believe in tough love, softened by a community-based approach, where customers are asked to share much of the workload of recovery. This puts the staff under intense pressure. They collectively have to fight for tiny increases to their working budget. Much of the equipment in the centre is broken, old, faulty and in need of replacing; don’t expect a good night’s sleep. The beds and furniture are worse than you might find in an open prison, and sometimes this is what – in my experience – many customers grumble about. But the staff make do, despite this; the remarkable chef, Gareth, has to spend his own money on equipment; sometimes he brings in his own. If he is not there, the food is crap; he, however, turns mediocre food into brilliant meals, which was one of the saving graces of my experience. All the core therapists were brilliant at their jobs, and put in the hours and dedication to the clients they serve; I owe a particular debt of gratitude to Jeanette, Jade, Brendan and John Port. I cannot praise the support staff enough; an incredible team, from top to bottom; from the cleaners and builders, to management. Their service was exemplary, in very difficult circumstances. Some of their house rules are almost impossible for their customers to understand and decode, so there’s a hell of a lot of confusion for the entire community – staff and clients. Hopefully this will be redeemed by the tenure of their new manager, Sally – but her work is cut out! I wish her and her support staff all the best in their jobs, especially Gosha and Justine, but it’s wrong to name a few; this is a great team all around. Ultimately, I owe Liberty House a debt of gratitude for saving my life, and the lives of hundreds of people. The reviews on this page are bound to confirm my experience is not unique. At the least, your loved ones will come out of their treatment in a much better state of mind, body and spirit then when they arrived. Like any rehabilitation process, it’s a question of horses for courses; this follows the Alcoholics Anonymous model, which is severely in need of an update; like the bible many clients mistake it for, it was written a long time ago. Nevertheless, therapists are very well trained. In my short stay, I learnt to challenge and update many of my core beliefs. I learnt about a variety of therapeutic models, from transactional analysis, to CBT, DBT and more, which will serve me well in my future adventures on the wheels of steel. If you are a drug user, or a caring relative in desperation, I recommend Liberty House. It’s seven times cheaper than the Priory! Your loved ones will be grateful beyond measure when you leave the clinic a changed person. But I do wish whomever is profiting from this private model stops hoovering up the meagre profits, and begins to invest in the centre, beginning with pay rises, budget increases, and a massive overhaul. The centre is direly in need of entire refurbishment; otherwise it will lose staff, and lose business, in years ahead. Finally, despite the corner-cutting, it’s a happy family there. Your loved ones will come out shiny and freshly-polished, with the tools to beat their respective addictions, and a new family to support them in recovery. Thanks to all at Liberty House for changing my life – for the better, and hopefully for the rest of my life.
23 May 2022
I am so grateful for being able to come to Primrose lodge. My life is now going in the right direction. Thank you x
23 May 2022
Liberty house is a very good treatment centre for addiction. It runs on the bases of the 12 step programme but offers so much more. The addition of calming breathing techniques, meditation and yoga which are all important for calming the mind body and spirit to embrace change. Thanks
23 May 2022
My stay at Linwood house has been the the most wonderful journey I’ve been on in my life. Coming face to face with myself and learning to process my feelings has been incredibly powerful. Thank you to all who have been involved, you’ve quite literally been lifesavers. I feel like a beautiful butterfly, I’m ready to spread my wings.
22 May 2022
All the support from the staff, the amount of patience the staff have. The consistent care and routine of the medication has helped massively. The general understanding and been able to approach staff with ease the groups have helped me massively also my peers have been great.
22 May 2022
thoroughly enjoyed my time at Oasis, the centre is great the treatment program is great and the staff are great
22 May 2022
I received an excellent detox and treatment at Primrose Lodge and would certainly recommend it to anyone requiring such treatment.
22 May 2022
I cant thank the staff enough for their help and support throughout my detox and rehab. they were polite, professional and extremely friendly from day one and treated me with dignity and respect. The councilors(some being recovering addicts themselves) were very understanding and knowledgeable. The groups were informative and at times enjoyable. The accommodation is satisfactory and could do with a facelift(mattresses and bedding especially) however all your basic needs are met. The food could be healthier but the chefs are very good and do their best with the resources they have available. the option to order food from the outside on occasion would be nice. Overall i have found my time at Liberty house to be extremely positive and feel i am now equipped to manage my addiction going forwards. They have saved my life.
22 May 2022
I found the group sessions enlightening the therapy sessions were very good, overall the treatment I received has given me the confidence and the focus to continue my recovery
21 May 2022
I came in here primarily for gambling but also because I drank excessively, I thought the centre is excellent and met all my needs. The staff and therapists were excellent and I feel I have learnt a lot about my self .
21 May 2022
When I came in to sanctuary lodge I felt lost and broken, with the help of the staff here I am leaving like a rejuvenated person ready to live again. The staff have been fantastic throughout my my stay here for the housekeeping to the chefs , the support staff , and Maria the manger and Kat my therapist. Both have been a big help throughout my stay here through the good and bad times .
20 May 2022
The staff at liberty house are incredible! I have made progress far beyond my expectations. They will always go above and beyond to insure you take as much as possible fro the programme . The only downside is the standard of the accommodation, which is very substandard.
20 May 2022
Absolutely zero complaints, staff were incredible and the scope of services provided were outstanding, has given me the support and foundation for me to continue my life in sobriety.
19 May 2022
I was absolutely broken and couldn’t see a way out of my addiction when I stepped foot into Sanctuary Lodge, I’ve been in a mosh pit of emotions, I’m leaving here with a strong sense of who I am and I feel so happy and excited to start my new life in soberity. I can wholeheartedly say that every element of sanctuary lodge and my entire stay has been the single most fantastic eye opening experience. My therapist Kat, has carried me through my whole journey and supported me more than I could ever express, I absolutely love her , she has made me look at myself in a completely new light, positive feedback where I needed to hear it good and bad parts I didn’t want to see. She has helped me look at my life in a new light, And with professionalism is second to none and I cannot express my gratitude enough. Maria the manager has been professional and supportive of all my needs and always takes the time to make sure I have been happy with the treatment . Therapy team have been simply fantastic and the support team , are just the best BIG shout out to Stevie, Dorrell, grace, and Hannah and Julie they have been amazing every step of the way. The chefs need a shout out Martin and Tony are great Chefs , and make a great Sunday roast and full English. ( p.s remember to order a George !) .
19 May 2022
My stay at Liberty House was an amazing life transformation experience. I know that if would of possponned my using for little longer i would be facing death.I got so much from this place, life was throwing curve balls in the last weak and with the counselers support and the people support from the groups was there when i needed it. I feel that i have grown so much over here, as much as i didnt want to come here at the end was time to leave ands i fely very empotional to leave because this place felt like being home. Fully recommend from the bottom of my heart.
19 May 2022
The great experience and brilliant staff at Primrose Lodge have provided me with a strong foundation for the beginning of my lifelong recovery. Thank you!
19 May 2022
The place is very clean and tidy food’s getting better each day the therapy is excellent
19 May 2022
This is my second time at Sanctuary Lodge and it has been a truly beneficial experience. The therapy team are excellent and I can’t speak highly enough of my Therapist Tracey. The programme is very varied and challenging. The care support is excellent as is the catering and housekeeping services. I would highly recommend Sanctuary Lodge to anyone suffering with addiction who wishes to start their recovery.
If you successfully complete our 90-day inpatient treatment programme but experience a relapse within 30 days of leaving, we will welcome you back for complimentary 30 days of treatment.*
* Click here to learn more or contact UKAT directly for rehab availability.
If you successfully complete our 90-day inpatient treatment programme but experience a relapse within 30 days of leaving, we will welcome you back for complimentary 30 days of treatment.*
* Click here to learn more or contact UKAT directly for rehab availability.
Our clients’ health remains a priority during the COVID-19 pandemic, so our doors remain open throughout lockdown for anyone that needs support. Click here to read our safety guidelines.