The prospective correlations between alcohol consumption and psychological well-being are examined in middle-aged men and women.

• From the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank, researchers included 4,148 middle-aged individuals (80% men) for whom alcohol consumption (average weekly consumption and frequency of binge drinking) data were retrieved at baseline in 2004 or 2006 and psychological well-being (satisfaction with life and vitality) data were retrieved at follow-up in 2009–2011.

• Analyses suggest a prospective association of alcohol abstinence with adverse psychological well-being (vitality and life satisfaction) in men and women, while there appeared a prospective association of heavy alcohol consumption with adverse satisfaction with life in men.

• Finally, weekly binge drinking was noted to be prospectively linked with lower life satisfaction in men.