U.S. Alcohol Use Declines Post-Pandemic, Older Adults Up

The CDC notes that heavy alcohol use continues to rank among the top preventable sources of disease and mortality in the United States. New findings, however, reveal that drinking levels have dropped, marking the first decline observed after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to surveys and health data.

Declining Rates Among Younger Adults

Between 2022 and 2024, overall alcohol use among U.S. adults dropped by nearly two percent, while heavy drinking decreased by over eight percent, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Southern California. Heavy drinking is defined as more than 14 drinks per week for men and seven for women, or more than three or four drinks daily.

The decline was most pronounced among younger generations. Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, saw a reduction in alcohol use of more than five percent. Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, experienced the steepest drop in heavy drinking at 17 percent.

Concerning Trends in Older Adults

Despite the overall decline, alcohol use rates remain three percent higher than pre-pandemic levels, with heavy drinking approximately 13 percent above those benchmarks. This translates to nearly five million additional adults drinking and almost two million more engaging in heavy drinking since the pandemic began. Alarmingly, older adults between 50 and 64 years old saw significant increases. Any alcohol consumption in this group rose by almost four percent, while heavy drinking surged by more than 36 percent between 2018 and 2024.

The health risks for older adults are particularly severe. Conditions like cirrhosis of the liver and alcohol-related cancers are more common in this population. Brian Lee, the study’s principal investigator, noted that seniors often came of age during eras when heavy drinking was more socially accepted. “They settled into a higher rate of heavy drinking during the pandemic that never decreased,” he explained to local reports via email.

Gender Differences and Underlying Factors

The study, which analyzed data from over 111,000 U.S. adults in the National Health Interview Survey from 2018 to 2024, revealed gender disparities in alcohol use trends. Alcohol consumption declined by 2.4 percent among men and 1.1 percent among women between 2022 and 2024. Heavy drinking dropped by nine percent among women compared to nearly eight percent among men. The researchers observed that younger adults may face less social pressure to drink and are more aware of health risks, while alcohol may also be less affordable relative to their income.

The concentration of decline across age groups surprised the researchers. In 2018, heavy drinking rates were relatively uniform across age brackets, with older adults only slightly higher. The study’s large sample size allowed for deeper analysis of subgroup differences, though it did not explore the reasons behind changing habits.

Health Implications and Recommendations

Lee expressed concern that pandemic-formed drinking habits may have become permanent or evolved into dependence. He advised individuals who feel their drinking has increased since the pandemic, particularly those over 50, to consult a healthcare provider. “If you are near that, it’s worth a conversation with your doctor, and asking for liver testing is reasonable,” he said.