The first national in-depth study to examine alcohol use among Australian middle-aged men has found more than two million are drinking at levels that put their health at risk of harm.
The new Flinders University research, in partnership with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), analysed national data from the 2019 and 2022/23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey to identify factors linked to risky drinking among midlife men aged 30-59, comparing the younger (30-44) and older (45-59) age groups.
The research shows almost half (43 per cent) of men aged 30 to 59 exceed Australia's national alcohol guidelines which recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four on any one day to help stay healthy and reduce the risk of harm.
Lead author and Flinders University PhD candidate, Stefano Zaccagnini, says the study found risky drinking was more common among men who smoke, use illicit drugs, experience high psychological distress, live in regional areas or earn higher household incomes.
Men working in managerial, trade and technical occupations were also more likely to drink above recommended limits.
"Our findings show that more than 2.2 million Australian men aged 30 to 59 are drinking in excess of the national alcohol guidelines," says Mr Zaccagnini, who is completing an industry PhD co-supervised and co-funded by the ADF.
"Men drink alcohol for many reasons and across different social and cultural settings, and at consistently higher rates than women, which makes this an important group to study.
"Midlife is also a period when drinking can shift from occasional to routine - for example as a regular way to unwind – and that can heighten the risk of both short-term and long-term alcohol-related harms such as accidents, injuries, assaults, and chronic illnesses including dependence, liver disease and cancer."
The findings also highlight important differences within midlife. Men aged 30 to 44 who reported high psychological distress, were significantly more likely to drink at risky levels compared to those with lower psychological distress. In contrast, psychological distress was not strongly linked to risky drinking among men aged 45 to 59.
"This research suggests that stress and mental health may influence drinking differently at various stages of midlife," says Mr Zaccagnini.
Senior researcher and Director of Flinders' National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Professor Jacqueline Bowden, says the findings challenge common assumptions about who is most at risk of alcohol-related harms.
"There's a perception that risky drinking is mainly a problem for younger people, but this research shows it remains very common among men in midlife," says Professor Bowden, from the College of Medicine and Public Health.
'Whilst risky drinking among Australian men has declined overall in recent decades, progress has been slower among men in midlife, a group often missed by prevention efforts that tend to focus more on younger people. For many middle-aged men, alcohol is closely tied to work culture, social life and managing stress during these years."
Men living in regional, rural and remote areas were far more likely to drink at risky levels than those in major cities.
"In many regional communities, drinking is a central part of social life, but help and support options can be limited which makes early intervention more challenging," adds Mr Zaccagnini.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Erin Lalor AM, says this research reiterates the need for stronger investments in tailored approaches aimed at reducing alcohol-related harms.
"We know that a 'one size fits all' approach doesn't work when it comes to addressing the complex drivers of risky drinking. We need stronger investments by governments to help roll out targeted, evidence-based campaigns and programs," says Dr Lalor.
Dr Lalor says reducing alcohol intake at any age can have many health benefits.
"There are lots of benefits to drinking less, including lowering the risk of harms such as accidents, injuries, as well as serious health issues such as dependence, liver disease and cancer," says Dr Lalor.
"Other benefits can include improved sleep, more energy, improved mental health and relationships, and saving money," she says.
The researchers hope the findings will inform broader policy changes and targeted health campaigns and workplace programs that better reflect the realities of men's lives in midlife.
"This research shows risky drinking isn't just an individual issue but is shaped by societal norms, work, place, stress and social expectations, and understanding those factors is essential if we want to reduce alcohol‑related harm among Australian men," concludes Mr Zaccagnini.
The paper, 'Risky Drinking in Midlife Men: Insights from Australia's National Drug Strategy Household Survey', by Stefano Zaccagnini, Ashlea Bartram, Michael Livingston, James A. Smith, Nataly Bovopoulos and Jacqueline Bowden was published in Drug and Alcohol Review. DOI: 10.1111/dar.70149.
If you are concerned about your own, or a friend or relative's alcohol or other drug use, there is lots of information, help and support available. Visit adf.org.au or call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
Acknowledgements: We acknowledge the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the data custodians of the National Drug Strategy Household Survey for granting the authors permission to access and use both 2019 and 2022/23 waves of data, facilitated by the Australian Data Archive.
