Is the sharp rise in the number of elderly drinking too much more to do with keeping out the cold than social?

[R T Fischall]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16439991

Right first off I hate it when media uses the word elderly, makes us sound all decrepit and on last legs. Secondly that box is still too small for the whole question.
Which should end " drinking to excess".

regail thy with thine thoughts whilst one opens the cognac and aspirins.