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Rachel V Thomas

US Gen Z, Millennials Are Drinking Less Alcohol For First Time Since COVID-19

Alcohol use among US adults has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, driven largely by <span>Gen Z</span> and <span>millennials</span>, a new study found.

However, alcohol use remains above pre-pandemic levels, according to the findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"It’s encouraging to see alcohol use decline for the first time since the start of the pandemic,” said Brian P. Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist with Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California and principal investigator of the study.

“However, use remains above pre-pandemic levels and certain groups continue to have concerning trends," he added.

Researchers analyzed National Health Interview Survey data from 114,352 US adults between 2018 and 2024.

Heavy drinking was defined as five or more drinks per day or 15 or more drinks per week for men, and four or more drinks per day or eight or more per week for women, in the 12 months before the survey.

From 2022 to 2024, any alcohol use fell by nearly 2%, while heavy drinking declined by more than 8%.

Researchers said this was the first confirmed reduction in <span>alcohol consumption</span> since the pandemic began, following increases in drinking reported in previous studies.

<h2>Gen Z, Millennials Cut Back As Older Adults Drink More</h2>

The biggest decline in any alcohol use was among Gen Z adults, whose consumption fell by more than 5%.

Millennials recorded the largest drop in heavy drinking, at 17% between 2022 and 2024.

The study did not examine why younger adults reduced their drinking, though researchers noted that changing social attitudes toward alcohol may be one explanation.

In contrast, alcohol use increased among adults aged 50-64. From 2018 to 2024, any alcohol use in this group rose by nearly 4%, while heavy drinking increased by more than 36%.

According to Lee, the increase is particularly concerning because older adults face higher risks of alcohol-related conditions, including liver disease, certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.

"Heavy drinking among ages 50-64 is up by more than a third since 2018, a concerning trend because this age group faces some of the greatest risks of harm from alcohol, including cirrhosis and alcohol-related cancers,” Lee said.

Men saw a larger decline in any alcohol use than women, 2.4% versus 1.1%. However, heavy alcohol use fell more among women than men, 9% versus 7.7%.

Lee noted that understanding differences in drinking patterns could help develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

<h2>Does Drinking Less Reverse Alcohol-Related Harm?</h2>

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Alcohol accounts for approximately half of all liver-related deaths, while alcohol-associated cirrhosis has become the leading cause of liver transplants, according to Lee.

The World Health Organization says health risks begin with the first drop of alcohol, meaning no level of consumption is completely safe or risk-free.

Although the decline in alcohol use is a positive development, "we cannot assume alcohol-related harms will decline automatically,” said Lee. “Continued attention to screening, prevention and treatment will be critical, particularly among groups where alcohol use remains elevated.”

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Alcohol use among US adults has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, driven largely by Gen Z and millennials, a new study found.However, alcohol use remains above pre-pandemic levels, according to the findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine."It’s encouraging to see alcohol use decline for the first time since the start of the pandemic,” said Brian P. Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist with Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California and principal investigator of the study.“However, use remains above pre-pandemic levels and certain groups continue to have concerning trends," he added.What Did The Study Find?Researchers analyzed National Health Interview Survey data from 114,352 US adults between 2018 and 2024.Heavy drinking was defined as five or more drinks per day or 15 or more drinks per week for men, and four or more drinks per day or eight or more per week for women, in the 12 months before the survey.From 2022 to 2024, any alcohol use fell by nearly 2%, while heavy drinking declined by more than 8%.Researchers said this was the first confirmed reduction in alcohol consumption since the pandemic began, following increases in drinking reported in previous studies.Gen Z, Millennials Cut Back As Older Adults Drink MoreThe biggest decline in any alcohol use was among Gen Z adults, whose consumption fell by more than 5%.Millennials recorded the largest drop in heavy drinking, at 17% between 2022 and 2024.The study did not examine why younger adults reduced their drinking, though researchers noted that changing social attitudes toward alcohol may be one explanation.In contrast, alcohol use increased among adults aged 50-64. From 2018 to 2024, any alcohol use in this group rose by nearly 4%, while heavy drinking increased by more than 36%.According to Lee, the increase is particularly concerning because older adults face higher risks of alcohol-related conditions, including liver disease, certain cancers and cardiovascular disease."Heavy drinking among ages 50-64 is up by more than a third since 2018, a concerning trend because this age group faces some of the greatest risks of harm from alcohol, including cirrhosis and alcohol-related cancers,” Lee said.Men saw a larger decline in any alcohol use than women, 2.4% versus 1.1%. However, heavy alcohol use fell more among women than men, 9% versus 7.7%.Lee noted that understanding differences in drinking patterns could help develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.Does Drinking Less Reverse Alcohol-Related Harm?Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol accounts for approximately half of all liver-related deaths, while alcohol-associated cirrhosis has become the leading cause of liver transplants, according to Lee.The World Health Organization says health risks begin with the first drop of alcohol, meaning no level of consumption is completely safe or risk-free.Although the decline in alcohol use is a positive development, "we cannot assume alcohol-related harms will decline automatically,” said Lee. “Continued attention to screening, prevention and treatment will be critical, particularly among groups where alcohol use remains elevated.”

us gen z, millennials are drinking less alcohol for first time since covid-19

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