Engaging in risky drinking behavior – drinking in excess of the recommended weekly limit but not to the point of drunkenness – could be putting over a quarter of males and almost one-fifth of females at increased risk of cancer, liver disease and other health issues, according to a new study reported in the Daily Telegraph.
U.K. researchers found that as many as 26 percent of men and 18 percent of women regularly drink more than the recommended safe amounts, and the behavior actually increases with age. By the time they are over the age of 45, 31 percent of males are engaging in risky drinking behavior.
Risky drinkers are more commonly found in the middle and upper classes, most prevalent among professionals and those with a high household income. Married couples are less likely to drink in excess than single people or those who cohabit with their partner outside of marriage.
"What’s worrying, however, is the way in which we overlook the habits of the silent majority who are slowly drinking themselves to death. A true focus on prevention would provide better support to the eight million risky drinkers across the country," said Julie Manning, chief executive of 2020health, the think tank that carried out the survey.
The researchers recommend the U.K.’s National Health Service implement screening for everyone at age 30, which they estimate would save the health care system almost $200 million.