Alcohol consumption in the U.S. has dropped to a record low as people are increasingly expressing concerns about the associated health risks with moderate alcohol consumption, a new Gallup poll finds.
On Wednesday, the national survey released data that showed that only 54% of adults in the U.S. said they consume alcohol, which is the lowest percentage ever reported by Gallup since the organization began tracking American drinking behavior nearly 90 years ago. And young adults aged 18 to 34 are leading the way with only a 50% drinking rate — less than middle-aged and older adults.
What’s more, Gallup found that people, especially younger adults, are increasingly sharing concerns that moderate alcohol consumption — meaning “one or two drinks a day” — is bad for one’s health. For the first time, a majority of people (53%) reported feeling this way. For comparison, only 39% shared that view just two years ago in 2023.
And while young adults were found more likely to think alcohol is bad for health than older adults (aged 55+), the survey found that older adults are increasingly adopting this view. Furthermore, the decline in alcohol consumption was not associated with an increase in use with other mood-altering substances, like recreational marijuana, the survey found.
Gallup also noted some other key takeaways from the respondents’ views on the health risks associated with moderate drinking: Women were more likely than men to think moderate alcohol consumption is unhealthy, and Democrats and independents were more likely to have this view than Republicans. And the survey found only slight differences in these results when it factored in race/ethnicity, education and income.
Dr. Ryan Marino, an emergency physician, medical toxicologist and assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, told HuffPost that he believes there are “likely multiple contributing factors” to the survey’s findings that alcohol consumption in the U.S. has dropped to a record low.
“But I think this shows how public health messaging and better education can be effective to empower people to make healthy choices,” he told HuffPost.
With so much information on the internet about alcohol consumption, and with past research suggesting that moderate alcohol may even be associated with some health benefits, we talked with two physicians about the Gallup poll’s findings, and what we should know about how alcohol consumption affects one’s health.
Nico De Pasquale Photography via Getty Images
A new Gallup poll found that Alcohol consumption in the U.S. has dropped to a record low, with younger adults consuming the least.
“There is no amount of alcohol that is safe to consume,” Marino said.
“Alcohol is directly toxic to every cell and tissue in the human body. It is a known carcinogen. There is no amount of alcohol that is safe to consume,” Marino said. “This doesn’t mean that a glass of wine or other drink will necessarily harm someone, but it does not have health benefits and so the possible risks are always greater.”
“We now have very good data that even moderate alcohol consumption is associated with health problems,” he continued.
Dr. Aashish K. Didwania, vice chair for education in the department of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine general internal medicine physician, said that it’s important for the public to know the definitions of alcohol consumption levels, and to understand that alcohol is not healthy for you and that heavy alcohol use is “dangerous.”
For starters, Didwania explained that a standard serving size of an alcoholic drink is considered a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce wine and a 1.5-ounce spirit. Heavy use is considered more than seven drinks per week for women and more than 14 drinks per week for men.
Moderate use is generally considered 1-7 drinks per week for women and 1-14 drinks per week for men, he said. And while Didwania noted that low moderate use is not clearly defined for women, it is likely defined as less than five drinks per week for women and 1-7 drinks per week for men.
Didwania emphasized that medical research published earlier this year has shown that even moderate alcohol consumption is associated with an increase in several types of cancer and a number of other health concerns.
“For the public — be honest with yourself and your primary care provider on your alcohol consumption. Do not believe alcohol is healthy for you — it is not,” he told HuffPost. “Heavy alcohol use is dangerous. Moderate alcohol use, while in the past was deemed fine by our governmental agency guidelines, these new reports are suggesting lower is better.”
There could be several factors contributing to why young adults are particularly concerned about alcohol consumption, experts say.
Marino said that while it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why there’s a generational divide with concerns about alcohol consumption, he noted that trends like “Dry January” and an overall growing normalization of nonalcoholic beverages among younger people could be contributing to the differing views.
Didwania also pointed to trends like “Dry January” and other similar challenges and conversations surrounding alcohol consumption that happens on social media as possible factors.
“The trends may reflect a true health concern around the health effects of moderate alcohol consumption. And social media, along with other messaging, may simply have hit the younger generation more effectively,” he said. “There should be hope these trends sustain.”
There are several strategies you can try if you’re looking to reduce your alcohol intake.
Social activities and gatherings with friends, family and co-workers often involve alcohol consumption. But if you’re looking for ways to reduce your intake, there are several strategies you can try.
Marino pointed out that nonalcoholic beverages have “exploded in recent years” and that they are an option as an alternative to alcohol during a night out. “Even at bars there are usually ‘NA’ options, including beers, wines and spirits,” he said.
He also said that it may be beneficial to eliminate alcohol for a period of time, and to take note of how it affects you.
“For example, if you notice you feel better (more rested, hydrated, etc.) when you wake up every morning, or even just feel like your skin is clearer, it can be much easier to incorporate changes than if you just heard some doctor lecture you,” he said.
Didwania said that “behavior change is hard” but that “we do it all the time with diet, exercise, and all sorts of habits,” and the “psychology is similar.”
He shared the following steps to consider if you’re wanting to drink less alcohol:
- First, have an honest assessment about alcohol intake. If you find you are in a high level consumption category, it may help motivate you to lower your consumption faster as the health risks are much greater.
- Tell someone — it helps to be accountable to a partner or primary care physician.
- Be aware of when you drink — if [it’s] always in the same settings where one drink becomes three, avoid or drastically change the environment.
- Switch to nonalcoholic beverages. There has been an explosion of craft nonalcoholic beers, wines and cocktails.
- Try a temporary abstinence challenge and repeat it frequently!
Lastly, Didwania said that if you find you are more dependent on alcohol than you originally thought, then it’s important to seek help from your primary care provider.
Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.
