Old Britons not wise on booze: Survey

Half also said excessive drinking had given them a hangover which left them unable to function properly the next day.

8220;You often hear people saying they feel worse after drinking the older they get,8221; said GP Dr Sarah Jarvis.

8220;As you age, the body isn8217;t as good at dealing with alcohol. This survey shows that many people find it difficult to stop once they8217;ve started drinking. The answer is easy 8212; don8217;t start if you think you may lose control.8221;

According to the survey, 44 percent of those in the 30-50 age group admitted they had not stuck to their limit 8211; the amount they knew was too much for them and would regret the next day 8212; compared to 40 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds.

Health officials have warned that slightly older people, who drink regularly at home, could be risking serious problems.

NHS admissions for those aged between 35 and 49 with alcohol-related conditions, such as coronary heart disease and liver problems, have soared in recent years while drink-related death rates for women almost doubled between 1991 and 2005.