More than two million Australian middle-aged men drinking at risky levels

Zaccagnini S, Bartram A, Livingston M, Smith JA, Bovopoulos N & Bowden J. “Risky Drinking in Midlife Men: Insights From Australia's National Drug Strategy Household Survey” Drug and Alcohol Review 45, no. 4, e70149. April 2026.  https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.70149

This study highlighted the extent of risky drinking among Australian men in midlife and provides new insights into the factors associated with this behaviour. The study, published in Drug and Alcohol Review, analysed data from the 2019 and 2022/23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey to examine demographic, psychological and behavioural influences on alcohol use among men aged 30-59, as well as differences across stages of midlife.

The findings show that 42.9% of men aged 30-59 reported drinking above Australian Alcohol Guideline recommendations, equating to more than two million Australian men. Several factors were identified as being associated with a higher likelihood or risky drinking, including current smoking, illicit drug use and higher levels of psychological distress. A range of socio-demographic characteristics were also linked to increased risk, including higher household income, employment in managerial, trade and technical occupations, and living in regional, rural and remote areas.

The research also highlights differences within the midlife age group. Men aged 30-44 who reported high to very high psychological distress were significantly more likely to engage in risky drinking compared to those with low to moderate levels of distress. In contrast, among men aged 45-59, the likelihood of risky drinking did not differ according to levels of psychological distress, highlighting variations across stages of midlife.

Importantly, this study builds on existing evidence by examining multiple demographic, behavioural and psychological factors together, while also exploring how these relationships differ across midlife. The findings highlight that risky drinking among midlife men remains prevalent, with trends in alcohol consumption for this group continuing to remain relatively stable. This study also draws attention to midlife men as a group that has been underrepresented in the literature despite this level of risk.

Together, these findings provide important insights into the factors associated with risky drinking among Australian men in midlife and highlight key areas for further research. In particular, the study supports further investigation into how these factors interact across midlife and how they can inform public health and health promotion efforts targeting men in this age group.

Read the full article here.

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