Please read Dr. Lumpe’s article in Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research titled, “Etiology and correlates of alcohol misuse in early midlife.“
Early midlife, also known as established adulthood, is a period associated with changes in many functional domains. Individuals in this age range (ages 30–40 years old) experience demographic shifts such as changes in relationship status, parenthood, advanced education, and financial independence. Alongside these demographic changes, alcohol misuse is common in early midlife: 25% of early midlife adults report recent heavy episodic drinking (5+ drinks in a session) and 16% meet criteria for past year alcohol use disorder. Epidemiological evidence further suggests that early midlife individuals may be particularly susceptible to the onset of AUD or the formation of a persistent course of alcohol misuse. The early midlife period is a pivotal time for AUD treatment seeking as well as these individuals, compared with younger demographics, are at particularly high risk for AUD relapse. To read the full article.
Etiology and correlates of alcohol misuse in early midlife. Lumpe E, Pascale A, Stephenson M, Barr P, Cooke ME, Latvala A, Maes HHM, Aaltonen S, Piirtola M, Viken R, Rose RJ, Sipilä PN, Keski-Rahkonen A, Vuoksimaa E, Kaprio J, Dick DM, Salvatore JE. Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken). 2025 Feb;49(2):301-314. PMID: 39704247 PMCID: PMC11828966 DOI: 1111/acer.15513