In comparison, in the late 1970s and 80s, around 70% of Americans said they had drunk alcohol. The rate has placed closer to 65% in the early 2000s, before diving more strongly in recent years.
The decline coincides with an increase in the proportion of people who say that even moderate alcohol consumption is bad for your health, a belief owned by more than half of Americans – also a first.
The decrease is somewhat surprising, mainly due to the increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic, especially in women, explains Stephen Holt, MD, internal medicine doctor and specialist in drug addiction at Yale Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
Changes in consumption habits suggest real cultural change
The survey asked more than 1,000 Americans aged 18 and over on their alcohol consumption habits. Key results among people who drink:
- 24 percent say they were drinking in the last 24 hours, a record baccalaureate.
- 40% said that more than a week had passed since their last glass.
- The average number of drinks consumed in last week was just under three, the lowest number recorded in almost 30 years.
Experts say that this suggests a real cultural change – and that if alcohol consumption really drops to the United States and continues on this trajectory, the health of Americans will likely improve.
“This is an encouraging news, and we hope to see discounts of all health problems related to alcohol at all levels,” explains Susan Stoner, PHD, research partner at the Addition, Drug and Alcohol Institute at the University of Washington in Seattle.
More people say that even moderate alcohol consumption is bad for health
The Gallup survey revealed that the majority of people (53%) see alcohol consumption in moderation, defined as one or two drinks per day, also bad for its health. Only 6% think it’s good for you, and 37% think that it makes no difference.
Young adults in particular have this point of view: two thirds of adults 18 to 34 have a negative vision of alcohol, against half of adults 35 to 54, and even less for adults aged 55 and over.
This is good news, because it shows that the public health message that alcohol presents health risks is browsing people, explains Randy Brown, MD, PHD, professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Drug Specialist in drug and public health at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
“Although we thought that moderate alcohol consumption conferred health benefits, we now know that this is not the case,” said Dr. Brown. “There is no level of alcohol consumption which is beneficial from the point of view of physical health.”
The change of public opinion comes as the main health groups harden their advice.
Sidney Smith, MD, cardiologist at UNC School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who worked on guidelines, says that many of her patients are on board to stop drinking once they understand the role of alcohol as a potential cause of high blood pressure.
“I strongly agree with the new recommendation on alcohol consumption,” he says.
Among a minority of adults, excessive alcohol consumption is still high – and it is a problem
Even if there could be health benefits in many areas if more people stop drinking, the Gallup Survey does not fully capture the nuance of the current consumption habits of Americans, explains Brown.
“While abstinence becomes more and more common, especially in young people, excessive consumption of alcohol and high consumption of alcohol have increased among those who drink, especially in women,” he said.
- For men, consume five or more glasses every day, or 15 or more glasses per week
- For women, consuming four or more glasses every day, or eight or more drinks per week
High intensity alcohol consumption is:
- For men, 10 or more a row
- For women, 8 or more rowings in a row
“Women are more at risk of harmful health effects at these levels of alcohol consumption,” said Brown. Over the past 20 years, we have actually found an increase in health -related alcohol effects, especially liver diseases in women.
“Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with different types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, cerebral accidents, liver diseases, digestive problems and a weakened immune system,” said Dr. Stoner.
But the increase in abstinence in young people can reduce the percentages of Americans who drink a lot, because these consumption patterns are a little more frequent in young people, explains Brown.
Do you need to cut alcohol completely?
Healthy people who do not smoke or do not have chronic conditions stop drinking, even in moderation?
“If I had a patient who corresponded to this description and that he drank in moderation, I would not necessarily tell them to stop drinking,” explains Holt.
“I would make sure they knew that there is evidence that any amount of alcohol consumption can undergo associated damage. If they love alcohol and drink safely, then I have no problem that they continue to do it, “he said.
What do people do instead of drinking alcohol?
The rise in alcohol -free alternatives occurs in tandem with the drop in alcohol consumption, explains Holt.
“When I was at university at the end of the 90s, the only non-alcoholic beer was O’doul, Stop Full. You can now find non-alcoholic stouts, IPA and even alcohol-free minds like Tequila or Gin. The variety has really widened in the past 10 years,” he said.
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