Baby boomers not binge-drinking students are the ‘biggest problem boozers — and could cripple the NHS’

Baby boomers are the biggest problem boozers, experts warn.

Official figures reveal 55 to 74-year-olds make up almost half of alcohol- related hospital admissions.

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Researcher Dr Tony Rao revealed cases more than doubled in five years.

He said risky drinking is down in all age groups except the over-50s. They are also more likely to smoke cannabis, with a 650 per cent rise since 2000.

Dr Rao, a consultant in old age psychiatry in South London, said: “People are retiring early and are going back to the lifestyle they enjoyed when they were young. They are not aware of the health risks. Alcohol-related admissions in older people are going up tremendously and the system is not able to cope.”

There has also been a 25 per cent rise in prescription painkillers handed out to baby boomers in the past four years.

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