Staying Sober
- Rachel Lee
- Nov 12
- 3 min read
By Dylan Xie Nov. 12, 2025
The number of adults who drink alcohol in the U.S. has dropped to a new low, continuing a decades-long decline in consumption. According to Gallup, as of July 2025, 54% of adults report drinking alcohol, down from a previous low of 55% in 1958. While adults had an average of 5.1 drinks per week in 2003, Gallup found that, this year, adults have an average of only 2.8 drinks per week.
This new low may be due to several factors, including shifting cultural norms and recent research
regarding the risk of consuming alcohol. Previously, Harvard Medical School found that drinking red wine was associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke because the grape skins contained compounds with heart- protecting properties.
However, new research has challenged past claims. The World Health Organization states that any amount of alcohol could lead to increased risks of cancer, depression and anxiety. Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend light drinking, which can increase risk of chronic disease and death.
“I think people have become more aware of the health implications and have chosen to not drink alcohol. Personally, I’ve started drinking less, but on occasions such as dinners with my friends, I would have a drink,” Jennifer Oddson, Science Department said.
Other teachers also shared similar views regarding the situation.
“I don’t drink that much anymore because it worsens my sleep quality and contributes to obesity and insulin resistance,” Rian Rodriguez, Music Department said.
For the first time in Gallup’s trend, 53% of Americans say that drinking one to two alcoholic beverages per day is unhealthy. This shift is especially pronounced in young and middle-aged adults in 2001—only about 30% viewed moderate drinking as risky, compared with roughly two-thirds today, reflecting stricter regulations and evolving social norms. Now, kids are more educated about these topics from an early age, and alcohol is no longer assumed to be part of all special occasions. Coincidentally, young adults have begun to drink mocktails, non-alcoholic beverages made with soft drinks and juices, instead of traditional cocktails in restaurants and bars.
“I try to talk to my kids about everything openly to inform them about the future instead of hiding it and making it seem taboo,” Oddson said.
The decline in drinking is more pronounced with women, where drinking dropped from 62% to 51% in 2023, while the consumption rate among men has also dipped from 62% to 57%. This may be due to the biological differences between the two sexes. For example, research has shown that women are often more susceptible to long-term health problems from alcohol consumption since they have a higher blood alcohol concentration and different metabolisms than men. This inhibits their response to alcohol due to the lack of enzymes in their stomach and liver that break down and remove alcohol from the body. As a result, women may be more aware of the consequences for them and have chosen to limit the alcohol they drink.
Ultimately, the transformation of the perception of alcohol, especially from the younger generations, shows a cultural switch where alcohol no longer symbolizes relaxation as more people are becoming aware of the health risks that come with consumption. Whether this downward trend will continue or revert back to its original state is unclear, but it changes how Americans look at their health and wellbeing.
About the Contributors
Dylan Xie
staff writer
Dylan Xie is a sophomore at Leland High School and a staff writer for The Charger Account. In his spare time, he likes to play soccer, work out, and hang out with friends.
Krio Moon
artist
Krio Moon is a junior at Leland and an artist for The Charger Account. Outside of school, she likes to play tennis, watch superhero movies, and read books.
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