Americans are increasingly turning away from alcohol, with the percentage of adults who report drinking remaining at a record low of 54% for the second consecutive year. These findings, based on July interviews with over 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and older, suggest that health-related concerns are a primary driver behind this shift in behavior.
Public perception regarding the safety of moderate alcohol consumption has shifted significantly over the past two decades. Currently, 51% of U.S. adults believe that consuming one or two alcoholic drinks daily is detrimental to one’s health, a figure that remains nearly identical to last year’s record high of 53%. In contrast, only 27% of Americans held this view in 2001.
This change in attitude is supported by a growing awareness of scientific research. Approximately 86% of survey respondents indicated they have heard at least something about recent studies regarding the long-term health effects of alcohol, an increase from 79% in 2024. Recent data published in the American Cancer Society’s journal, Cancer, underscores these risks, finding that individuals who consume an average of 14 or more drinks per week face a 25% higher risk of colorectal cancer and a 95% higher risk of rectal cancer compared to those who drink less than one beverage per week.
Reports of overdrinking have also reached a new low of 13%. This represents a significant decline from historical data, as the survey noted that before 2000, more than 20% of Americans routinely reported overdrinking, with a record high of 35% recorded in 1989.
As traditional alcohol consumption wanes, interest in alternatives is emerging. For the first time, the survey tracked the use of nonalcoholic substitutes, finding that 17% of respondents consumed nonalcoholic beer, wine, or spirits in the past year.
Experts believe this downward trend in alcohol consumption is unlikely to be a temporary fluctuation. Dr. Jared Harp, an addiction psychiatrist at the Cleveland Clinic, noted that he does not view this as a mere blip. Instead, he anticipates that the trend toward reduced alcohol intake will continue to strengthen over time. The report also notes that including a higher chance of certain cancers, drinking alcohol is linked to negative health impacts. The report also notes that i don’t think it’s a blip at this point.
