Did you become less tolerant to alcohol the older you got?

[SatsumaFan]

I've always thought I could handle my drink ok, have a few glasses of wine a week at home and a couple of nights out a month/every 6-8 weeks or so.

But lately I seem to get really bad hangovers, even when I've not drank that much. I'm starting to think - horror of horrors - that it's not actually worth the sickness and headache the next day?!

I'm 37 so have been drinking for 20yrs, and come from a long line of functioning alcoholics. Always was the black sheep of the family tho and this just confirms it...

I started dreading going out because of the hangovers, We'd all meet round mine for a few wines and then go out, and drink more wine, cocktails and the odd vodka or g&t next day I'd be throwing up all day.

I've now stopped drinking wine and just have vodka & coke and a couple of shots or cocktails and I'm totally fine the next day, sometimes a bit tired if it's been a really late one but no more wasted days lying in bed.

Same here. Couple of drinks I'm okay, any more and I write off two days feeling terrible. As for white wine - it's like poison to me now. One glass is all it takes to give me a raging headache. And I used to LOVE white wine.

I'm 58. I don't drink at all for up to 3-4months at a time, then I might have a whole bottle of wine with Sunday lunch if I'm on a late start Monday. The hangover isn't too bad, because I'm large and male. A single glass a day though...permanent headache, dry mouth, upset innards and a terrible sense of gloomy rage. Also I have to taper my tramadol off if I plan a binge, what with the risk of forgetting to breathe.

YES! Although it pains me me to admit it 😭

I have had many a wild night out (often back to back in my younger days!) and it was nothing a decent breakfast and a lie in wouldn't sort out.

Now I get as hungover on a few glasses of wine as I did on a cocktails-wine-random shots event back in the day.

I also think my sleep is shot after having kids which really has an effect on bloody everything

Am not quite ready to throw in the towel entirely yet, though...but the 40s are looking more and more sober!

myself and my group if friends were all big drinkers through are 20s and early 30s. As kids arrived it slowed everyone down a bit. Now post 40 most of us just can't tolerate a big binge without an awful hangover I'm almost scared if having a hangover so not slows me down. I just can't drink more than 2/3 glasses of wine so I dont drink it in a night out. I stick to gin and lots of tonic, fruity cider or beer.

God yes. I drank heavily for many, many years. Lately though it's been so bad I've given it up mostly. I just can't do it any more.

I drink much much less than I did when I was younger. Not only does it affect me more but the appeal of getting blind drunk and staggering about in clubs isn’t there when you’re in your 40s. Don’t get me wrong I loved clubbing in my 20s and 30s but I can’t cope with that nonsense now.

I was a few years younger than you the last time I had a hangover. I didn't think I'd had very much but I felt like crap for the whole weekend. Never had more than a couple of drinks since and I always make sure I have water before bed. Not worth it for me. And I don't like drunk-me much anyway (talks too much and over-shares)!

@DisgraceToTheYChromosome risk of forgetting to breath?! That does sound dangerous I think you're right about the glass of wine a day thing making you feel crap tho.

Thanks for all your replies - glad I bumped it when I couldn't sleep last night now!

I do really enjoy drinking, 99% of the people I hang out with drink. And dh and I like to share a bottle of wine over dinner or a film. We've done our big Christmas booze shop and have a kitchen full of mulled wine, cider, red and white and port...but I just don't fancy any of it because of this rotten cold and because I've had awful hangovers lately.

As we get older we realise time goes so quickly, so I agree with not wanting to waste a day or more in bed due to boozing. I have young children and they've noticed recently if I'm in bed half the day due to me going out with mates the night before. I've felt quite guilty (tho explained it's just this time of year - it's very sociable).

Had to giggle at the battered old brogue comparison of a liver Nice image. I thought our livers renewed themselves after a while? A quick Google kind of confirmed it.

Oh, and yes yes to it upsetting my IBS in a big way. I have to rush to the loo the next morning

I might do Dry January for the first time in about 7 years...

Definitely - for the last couple of years, am late 40s. I find I have a racing heart all night if I have too much and can't sleep.

I agree white wine gives me a headache and affects my sleep, even just one big glass and I'm awake for an hour or so in the night. So annoying.

I can drink cider til the cows come home. Hate gin (and tonic) and can't drink vodka as it makes me angry

I think my 40's are looking more and more sober too How come my sister, who is 42, can drink and drink and drink?! She always says I need more practice but it's just not happening.

Am very jealous of people who've never had a hangover!

SatsumaFan: all opioids depress breathing reflex to a certain extent, but add alcohol and you might doze off as well. I was on post op diamorphine once, and it was quite interesting seeing how long it took for my body to respond to rising CO². It could take up to 30 seconds for the reflex to kick in.

Pinkruler me too, it’s horrible. But for me it started happening after a couple of small glasses of Prosecco.