Excessive Drinking on the Rise for Midlife Women
Recent data has shown an increasing trend of excessive drinking among midlife women. While men historically had higher rates of alcohol use disorders (AUDs), research shows that the gender gap is closing. According to Dr. Dawn E. Sugarman, a research psychologist at McLean Hospital, women aged 35 and up are consuming alcohol excessively at increasingly high rates.
Excessive alcohol use, which includes AUDs, is associated with heavy drinking and binge-drinking. Binge-drinking for women is defined as consuming four or more drinks on the same occasion, while heavy drinking is considered consuming eight or more drinks per week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Excessive drinking can have long-term negative health effects and is a leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. Women are at higher risk due to differences in how they metabolize alcohol. Notably, women have a higher blood alcohol content and the alcohol stays in their body longer.
Studies indicate that women aged 35, as well as those who haven’t had children by age 35, are at the highest risk of binge-drinking and AUD symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this trend, as alcohol-related deaths for midlife women increased by 42 percent.
Factors Contributing to the Rise in Alcohol Consumption
Contributing factors to the increase in excessive drinking among midlife women include shifting social norms and expectations around motherhood. Women who are delaying or forgoing having children, as well as middle-aged mothers, are both engaging in higher levels of problematic drinking patterns.
The “wine mom” culture has also played a significant role in normalizing excessive drinking among women. The alcohol industry fuels this narrative with marketing designed to coincide with societal expectations and increase stress or anxiety in women. The social acceptability of excessive drinking in American culture adds to the widespread consumption of alcohol in social settings.
Unique Dangers for Women
Excessive alcohol consumption poses unique dangers for women. Other than the general negative health effects, women are more susceptible to cognitive impairment, heart disease, liver failure, depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of breast cancer. Despite these risks, many women are not fully aware of the dangers associated with prolonged excessive drinking.
What Can Be Done?
For women who are concerned about their alcohol consumption, there are resources available to seek help. The CDC recommends women limit their drinking to one drink or less per day, and women who are pregnant or might be pregnant should abstain from drinking. Screening tools like AlcoholScreening.org or SAMHSA’s Screen4Success are available to help individuals assess their drinking habits. These resources can also connect users with local and national resources for treatment, if needed.
For those looking to reduce their alcohol consumption, online programs and support systems, including the sober-curious movement and challenges like Dry January, are available. These initiatives can help individuals to re-evaluate their approach to alcohol and seek healthier alternatives.
