More than two million middle-aged men in Australia are drinking alcohol at risky levels, a first-of-its-kind study has found.
The national in-depth study from Flinders University analysed national data from the 2019 and 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey to see what was driving Aussie men to drink.
Almost half (43 per cent) of men aged 30 to 59 exceeded Australia's national alcohol guidelines, which recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week, and no more than four on any one day.
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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," Zaccagnini said.
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"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 the midlife category.
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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.
The National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline (1800 250 015) provides free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, including available treatment options, and automatically directs the caller to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service in their state/territory.