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Original poster

In mid 40s it is getting harder and harder to enjoy alcohol

117 replies

Elizo · 24/08/2024 16:03

I've always enjoyed a drink, not too much, but a nice glass of wine or beer or two, I also like pubs. It is getting to the point where I can virtually feel the hangover coming as I drink the drink. More than 1 drink is too many. Annoying that this pleasure is being taken! Has anyone else experienced this? I read that at mid 40s the body becomes much less able to absorb alcohol...

YANBU - same for me
YABU - I can still drink fine

OP posts:
cardibach · 11/01/2025 20:24

60 and I rarely get hangovers. And it’s not because I don’t drink…

silky2 · 11/01/2025 20:22

im 54 now and have started to enjoy alcohol a lot less and can start feeling worse as im drinking it.as we get older our bodies metabolise alcohol much slower also other health issues and medications can interact negatively aswell.if I drink now my sleep is totally disrupted.your not alone.

Ozgirl75 · 25/08/2024 08:50

Yep, I can just about have a glass of champagne and one glass of wine but nothing more. And that’s now about twice a year as I think “why bother?”
Luckily all my friends are the same and DH doesn’t drink at all so it’s easy to basically forget about it.
Red wine and the hangover starts before the end of the glass.

velvetcoat · 25/08/2024 08:39

I had the same and for those suggesting organic wine- it makes no difference lol Its the alcohol that causes it. I've tried organic wines and still felt shit the next day after only 2 glasses.

Noboozebetty · 25/08/2024 08:04

You can probably guess what I'm going to say from my username!!

Early 50s now and barely drink - fizz ok, but even a sip of wine can make me feel like vomming...

The bit I find hardest is DH (and most people we know) can still drink loads, and that's what a night out is for them.

Mickeymix · 25/08/2024 07:32

I enjoy a can of good tasty beer at 5.00/After work.

Mummadeze · 25/08/2024 03:40

Yes, am 50 and gave up gradually. Couldn’t tolerate it, made me very drunk, embarrassing and also ill. Gave up wine, cut back on anything else, just drank on special occasions and then gave up completely. Feel so much better for it but my social life has changed.

Lentilpasta · 25/08/2024 02:55

LiterallyOnFire · 24/08/2024 16:14

I gave up on it before I even hit 40. The hangovers were unbearable.

I quit drinking at age 17 😂 the joys of underage drinking and then being put off for life due to one too many awful hangovers. I HATE being sick and it happened when I drank. I may very occasionally have a glass of something if I’m at a celebration but that’s it .

If I found myself not enjoying something after a certain age I’d just stop though unless it was something really good for my health

Prriorayingly · 25/08/2024 02:40

Yes, I can’t drink alcohol anymore.I stopped some time ago and now I don’t miss it at all.

nightisyoung · 25/08/2024 02:04

YANBU - yep. 43 here and last few years I seemed to have passed the getting merry stage to one drink - ok - two drinks - I feel sick. Worse thing is everyone seems to think it's boring to not want to have 4/5 glasses of wine. I'm just not feeling it anymore. I think I am approaching menopause too as it hits early in my family.

Lemonyfuckit · 24/08/2024 22:05

Yep 42 and I feel like 2 drinks is my limit but even that and I can feel it the next day / don't sleep as well. To be honest I've had one drink this evening and I'm feeling it.

SphinxOfBlackQuartz · 24/08/2024 21:32

When I was younger, the first few drinks made me feel alive - like someone had switched all the lights on inside me.

Now they make me feel like someone's turned out all the lights and gone home Grin

I rarely drink now and will only tend to have one drink, if I do.

Alli88 · 24/08/2024 21:12

Why keep trying? If you don’t enjoy it then just stop, it’ll do you the world of good not to be drinking anymore

GreekGod · 24/08/2024 19:36

Exactly the same. My tolerance has decreased in my 40s too. But I am trying to eliminate it apart from weekends/special occasions as my doctor says I should so let's see.

runrabbitruns · 24/08/2024 19:30

I’m mid 40s and my tolerance decreased in my mid 30’s.

runrabbitruns · 24/08/2024 19:29

I can only tolerate one small glass of wine before I start to feel hung over. I haven’t given up drinking completely because I enjoy the buzz I get from it but I take comfort from the fact that my chances of cancer have reduced significantly because I can only drink one glass now.

grungey · 24/08/2024 19:28

I'm 46 and drink like a fish

CardinalCat · 24/08/2024 19:23

CormorantStrikesBack · 24/08/2024 18:27

This happened to me in my mid 30s. Hate drinking now. I can be literally one small glass of wine in and feel I need to lie down. Haven’t properly had any alcohol since 2019. Occasionally I mix some red wine and Diet Coke if I’m feeling adventurous 😆. Like once a year on Xmas day.

Red wine and coke! I've not had (or thought about) a Kalimotxo in about 15 years. Having some very happy, silly and hazy memories of holidays in Spain right now!

AlmostCutMyHairToday · 24/08/2024 19:07

I get this with wine and beer, but a martini is fine!

Blackberriesandcobwebs · 24/08/2024 19:01

As you get older I swear you lose the ability (or enzymes) to metabolise alcohol. Or maybe a fatty liver due to age/weight means your ability to break it down goes?
I get a headache half way down a glass of alcohol so I rarely drink now as I can't bear the lengthy hangovers on so little actual alcohol!

Ljcrow · 24/08/2024 18:56

Oblomov24 · 24/08/2024 18:28

I hear this a lot, menopausal women. I'm the opposite, enjoying it more and more, no hangovers, no problems, all good.

Very envious.

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 24/08/2024 18:55

Never had hangovers, even in my wild student days, and am lucky enough that I still don't!
Noone believed me (thought I was just trying to be smart) till we got a breathalyser- next day they were all off the scale while I was blowing zero, havibg drank the same!
I reckon I have a very efficient liver. But it may well get fed up with the abuse and leave me one day....

Ljcrow · 24/08/2024 18:55

CormorantStrikesBack · 24/08/2024 18:27

This happened to me in my mid 30s. Hate drinking now. I can be literally one small glass of wine in and feel I need to lie down. Haven’t properly had any alcohol since 2019. Occasionally I mix some red wine and Diet Coke if I’m feeling adventurous 😆. Like once a year on Xmas day.

Red wine with diet coke?! What does that taste like? Do you have it with ice or room temp? So many questions... 😆

MsBridie · 24/08/2024 18:54

I'm 50, really enjoy a few drinks, no issues. Only really drink on a weekend , don't go mental, feel fine.

FluffyDiplodocus · 24/08/2024 18:52

I’m late 30’s and two glasses of Prosecco or two beers is my limit now. And I usually get a cracking hangover if I drink without food. It’s definitely not worth it anymore!