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Alcohol use declined post-pandemic but has surged among older adults
Fox News • • health
Key Points:
- U.S. alcohol use has declined slightly since the COVID-19 pandemic but remains above pre-pandemic levels, with heavy drinking decreasing overall by more than 8% from 2022 to 2024.
- Adults aged 50 to 64 showed a nearly 4% increase in alcohol use and a sharp 36% rise in heavy drinking from 2018 to 2024, contrasting with declines among younger groups like Gen Z and Millennials.
- Women experienced a 13% increase in heavy drinking since 2018, raising concerns due to their higher vulnerability to alcohol-related liver damage compared to men.
- Experts suggest factors such as loneliness, grief, chronic pain, and life changes like retirement may contribute to increased alcohol consumption among older adults, who also metabolize alcohol less efficiently.
- Health professionals emphasize the importance of recognizing signs of problematic drinking and encourage older adults who have increased their alcohol use to consult doctors about liver health, even if asymptomatic.
