"A starting time of 6pm for opening a bottle of wine had become 5pm, then 4pm, 3pm and then lunchtime, with people drinking throughout the afternoon. "Financial worries, juggling work with homeschooling, relationship issues, anxiety about Covid-19, boredom, and devastating isolation for many of the over 60s, have left people 'self-medicating' with alcohol to a significant degree." Elaine Hindal, boss of alcohol charity Drinkaware, said the pandemic had led "to many people to drink more than they would usually. Dr Richard Piper said stats shows alcohol related deaths have increased (Image: Twitter / Getty) "Our concern is these numbers could continue to increase unless we take action now".