Researchers at Flinders University conducted a comprehensive examination of national data from the 2019 and 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey to explore the factors influencing alcohol consumption among Australian men.
The study revealed that nearly half (43%) of men between the ages of 30 and 59 surpassed Australia’s national guidelines for alcohol consumption. These guidelines suggest limiting intake to no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four in a single day.
“Men consume alcohol for a variety of reasons across diverse social and cultural settings, and they consistently do so at higher rates than women. This makes them a crucial demographic for research,” the study noted.
It further explained that midlife is often a period when drinking habits can transition from being occasional to becoming routine. This shift—such as using alcohol regularly to unwind—can increase the likelihood of both immediate and long-term alcohol-related issues, including accidents, injuries, assaults, chronic illnesses, addiction, liver disease, and cancer.
The study’s findings also underscore significant variations within the midlife age group.
Men aged 30 to 44 experiencing high levels of psychological distress were notably more inclined to engage in risky drinking behaviors compared to their counterparts with lower levels of distress.
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,” Zaccagnini said.
Senior researcher and Director of Flinders’ National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Professor Jacqueline Bowden, said 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,” she said.
“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.”
Alcohol and Drug Foundation chief executive Dr Erin Lalor AM said this research reiterated 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,” she said.
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