Heavy drinking surges among Americans in one age group as other generations cut back

Key Points:

• New research from the University of Southern California/Keck Medicine shows that U.S. alcohol use declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic but remains above pre-pandemic levels, with adults aged 50 to 64 showing a nearly 4% increase in alcohol use and a 36% rise in heavy drinking from 2018 to 2024.
• Overall, alcohol consumption declined by nearly 2% and heavy drinking by over 8% between 2022 and 2024, with notable decreases among Gen Z (over 5%) and Millennials (about 17%), while men showed a larger decline in alcohol use but women had a greater reduction in heavy drinking.
• Experts suggest that increased drinking among older adults may be linked to factors such as loneliness, grief, mental health issues, chronic pain, and life changes like retirement, which can lead to increased vulnerability and substance use.
• Older adults metabolize alcohol differently, making them more susceptible to its harmful effects, especially women, who develop liver damage at lower drinking levels; no safe level of alcohol consumption has been established.
• Health professionals recommend monitoring for signs of problematic drinking using the "three Cs" (Control, Compulsive, Can’t stop thinking about it) and advise those over 50 who have increased drinking since 2020 to consult doctors about liver health, as early detection of alcohol-related damage can improve outcomes.