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

[Elizo]

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

Exactly the same for me. Is now stop after one as I get a headache and feel awful otherwise. Only started happening when I turned 40 , so must be hormone thing.

I stopped drinking last year for this reason. Luckily I still enjoy pubs and will drink non alcoholic beer.

Yep, I'm 54 now, and haven't drunk alcohol other than the very odd occasion for q good few years now. It's just not worth it!

I barely ever drink these days because it gives me a headache very quickly. I like a glass of prosecco at a celebration but that's about it.

Yes! I’ve noticed this this year in particular, approaching 43. I would usually have a glass of wine on a Friday or Saturday night but if we have friends over and have say two followed by a post dinner malt whisky or something like that, I feel awful the next day! I assumed I had just become a lightweight but maybe there is something in the age thing?

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

I just drink Kombucha or ginger ale now when others are having a glass of something.

I genuinely can't remember the last alcoholic drink I had...must have been in my late 30s. Thought I'd celebrate with something boozy for my 40th but in the end thought..."nah, I actually want to enjoy myself...and it would only ruin things." Just not even remotely worth it anymore. Don't miss it at all.

We've got lots of non-alcoholic meet ups in our area now, doing non-alcohol related activities together in the evening...full of women over 35...evening walks, ceramic painting. soundbaths etc, it's fab. Some recovering alcoholics attend but it's mainly people that were just sick of alcohol making them feel crap.

You need to switch to organic, or preferably biodynamic wine. Fewer (to almost zero) of the additives that cause the worst effects from middle age.

Much more expensive but it can be a new adventure. I like wine far too much to give it up!

I’m 53. Still enjoy a few weekend drinks. But, if it’s a big night(not often) I don’t bounce back the next day. My DC of 23 and 20 look amazing the morning after.

I like a shandy at the weekend.

Right there too, got ridiculously drunk last year on theee wines- like teenage never had a drink before drunk, hangover for two days. Decided as opposed to giving up I’d try to get back used to drinking but one drink effects me the following day so no- think I’m done!!!!

YANBU. It started as soon as the big 30 hit for me. I just don’t drink anymore - it’s literally not worth the headache.

I do love a glass of wine so not keen to call it quits. Where do you get biodynamic wine from??

I’m 28 and can’t handle it! One or two drinks and I feel like all hydration has been sucked out of me and I’m shrivelling into a prune. 2 days until I’m right again.

I used to love big nights out but just can’t anymore.

I had a rare blowout recently and it took me a week to feel normal again!
If I'm just having a few drinks then I've started having a pint of water inbetween, it definitely helps.

Yeah, I've always loved a drink, but in my 40s I realised that the way I feel afterwards usually isn't worth it. I can manage a couple of glasses of wine or vodka/tonics, but any more than that usually makes me feel awful, although occasionally I can get away with it. My reaction to alcohol has changed though - I just can't tolerate it the same way. It's one more shit thing about aging!

There's a great hangover cure tablet called 'Mrkl' which is really recommend!...also maybe avoid wine and opt for spirits with a mixer? I've always found less of a hangover on those!

Same. My GP also advised me to stop drinking alcohol for health reasons, so I’ve given up. I don’t miss it at all & feel much better in myself.

Just to buck the trend, I'm 48 and drink like a fish when I go out. In fact all my friends do and 75% of us don't get any more side effects than we did when we were younger. Maybe we're the lucky ones...?

I can’t drink any more. Luckily, where I live it’s easy not to drink alcohol as many people don’t drink and there’s so much to do.

YANBU.

I gave up biscuits, chocolate, sweets and cake about 18 months ago and am seriously considering adding booze to the list. I can't handle any amount and it's starting to taste unbearable, too.

When I went onto HRT I stopped getting hangovers, so I’m sure it is hormone related.
I don’t really drink though, because it’s horribly bad for you. Just the odd one occasionally.

Yes! 43 and a half for me - still no bad hangovers thankfully (I'm extremely lucky and have never really had them) but my tolerance completely collapsed. I can have a couple of glasses over a long dinner and I'm ok, but definitely feel it now whereas I wouldn't notice any effect from a bottle or more before. I think it's actually a very good thing for me as it's a lot easier to keep track of my intake, but it is making me think I should get onto HRT sooner rather than later...

See I think it might go one of two ways when you’re over 40. I just got back from a holiday with old friends- we’re all late 40s/early 50s and we all used to love a big night out.
Me and one other can’t do it anymore - as much as we want to. The other three were fine! Drinking from lunchtime and often past midnight without much in the way of hangovers.