The Impact of Alcohol in Midlife

The impact of alcohol on my mind and body was magnified after I hit midlife. When I was much younger, a night out of the town and several drinks meant lots of dancing and what I thought was a deep sleep. In my thirties, a glass of wine with dinner relaxed me. However, as I entered my forties and fifties, alcohol started having a magnified impact on my physical and mental well-being. Headaches and depression were the two main factors in any alcohol experience. What has changed?

Alcohol and Midlife

In midlife, the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol decreases. Older adults may experience slower clearance of alcohol from their systems, prolonging the duration of its effects. This can intensify feelings of depression and lethargy associated with alcohol consumption. Aging brains and our neurological sensitivity also magnify the depressive impact of alcohol on our systems. We are now more susceptible to mood alternations. As if our hormones weren’t enough! Click here to see why some turn to alcohol during this time of life even though it’s even more important to cut back.

Alcohol as a Depressant

Alcohol is a depressant. It acts by enhancing the GABA neurotransmitter in the brain. This leads to a feeling of relation and sedation and the slowing down of brain function contributes to depressant effects. Alcohol also suppresses the neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate stimulates brain activity and alertness. Have you ever felt sleepy after a glass of wine? This may be the cause, and along with the sedation comes decreased cognitive function and coordination. In addition, alcohol affects our serotonin and endorphins. Disruptions of these systems can contribute to mood alterations including depression. When I entered my fifties, the depressive impact of alcohol hit me in full force. Midlife drinking and social gatherings were switched to moderation mode.

Mental health

Many changes happen in midlife. It is a time of transitions, from career changes, and empty nesting to caregiving responsibilities for our aging parents. These stressors and possible social isolation or loneliness can exacerbate the negative impact of alcohol. Those in midlife are particularly vulnerable due to physiological, psychological, and social factors. We are now in the risk factor segment for mental health. Working on our mental health during this time of change is critical and midlife drinking may not increase your chances of a healthy outlook.

Medications and Health Conditions

Although obvious, it needs to be stated that when you are over 40, you have a higher likelihood of being on medications or have a pre-existing health condition that can interact with alcohol. For some, the priority of health and wellness becomes more important than the preconceived notions of youth. The truth is that alcohol is a toxin and damages your liver. Adding it on top of other health issues will affect your overall wellness. The impact of alcohol in midlife when taking medications and experiencing possible interactions is a serious one.

My Personal Experience

I have definitely cut back on alcohol consumption. Honestly, now that I measure my sleep quality, the data shows how disruptive it is to a good night’s sleep. That fact alone had me adjust my opinion. If I have more than two glasses of wine I easily fall into a depressive state. When I say depressive state, depending on the circumstances, I either fall asleep or have feelings of hopelessness. When I wake up tired, I am reminded that the magnified impact of alcohol in midlife is affecting me today. For many others, the challenge of wine o’clock is real and the practice of having “a drink” is embedded into our society, making it difficult to change our consumption.

I often say that the easiest person to lie to is yourself. Whether it’s the impact of alcohol on you now that you’re in midlife, your sedentary life, or any unhealthy practices, we are all hearing the clock tick and tock. It’s time to take care of ourselves.