Risky Drinking in Midlife Men: Insights From Australia's National Drug Strategy Household Survey

Australian midlife men are more likely to drink exceeding Australia's Alcohol guidelines for adults compared to midlife women. Despite this, there is a paucity of research investigating the factors associated with risky drinking for midlife men to inform preventive health efforts. This study investigates these factors and how they differ between younger and older midlife men.

Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2019 and 2022/23 waves of the National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Data for midlife men (aged 30-59 years, n = 6471) were analysed, comprising younger (aged 30-44 years, n = 3311) and older (45-59 years, n = 3160) midlife age groups. Associations between behavioural, psychological and demographic factors and risky drinking, and interactions with midlife age groups were examined using chi-square and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Overall, 42.9% of midlife men reported risky drinking. Past year tobacco (OR = 1.70, CI = 1.35-2.14) and illicit/non-medicinal drug use (OR = 3.54, CI = 2.92-4.31), residing in Rural/Remote/Regional locations (OR = 1.76, CI = 1.48-2.11), higher psychological distress scores (OR = 1.37, CI = 1.05-1.79), working managerial (OR = 1.48, CI = 1.14-1.91) or tech/trade (OR = 1.48, CI = 1.17-1.87) occupations, and higher household earnings (OR = 1.70, CI = 1.41-2.06) were all significantly associated with risky drinking. Greater psychological distress scores were significantly associated with risky drinking among younger (OR = 0.49, CI = 0.32-0.75), but not older midlife men, while being married/de facto relationship was significantly associated with risky drinking among older (OR = 1.55, CI = 1.01-2.39), but not younger midlife men.

This study highlights a range of modifiable and non-modifiable factors that may inform the development of future preventive health policy and practise strategies for this high prevalence group.