How much, what, where, when, and why people drink alcohol differs considerably across the lifespan. This is likely influenced both by changing social position and roles, and also by cohort – how you drink when you are young will influence how you drink when you are older.

The physical and social consequences of drinking also differ considerably, morbidity and mortality is more common in older groups, whether that’s from alcohol or other factors. Some groups face specific risks – underage people may be more vulnerable to setting long-term behaviours, working-age people will be at higher risk of work-based accidents, and older-people may be more vulnerable to chronic health consequences.