Poll reports drinking in U.S. at record low

[ripcord]

I read this new Gallop poll that shows the percentage of Americans who report drinking alcohol is at a record low as beliefs about the healthfulness of alcohol have changed. Interestingly, the biggest changes have occurred in younger people and the changes have been rapid the past few years.

Do you all think this is a trend that will continue or is this a statistical blip.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/693362/drinking-rate-new-low-alcohol-concerns-surge.aspx

 

[SC Maintenance]

The percentage of people that consume alcohol has been declining pretty regularly for about 20 years. I can pull up some numbers if you like. Its not a new trend.

Yes I believe it will continue. As the father of early 20's daughters, its just not part of their culture like it was when I was that age. That age group would rather hang out at starbucks.

 

[dishdude]

I don't think it's because of the healthfulness, it's because of legalized weed.

 

[ripcord]

I don't think it's because of the healthfulness, it's because of legalized weed.

Hmmm... I kind of doubt that correlation.

The poll showed a spike during COVID (surprise) but about a 4% drop every year since.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I don't think it's because of the healthfulness, it's because of legalized weed.

Could be - but I think the decline is the percentage of people, not the amount. Are there lots of people that smoke weed but don't drink at all? I don't know - not my scene.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Bunch of quitters.

 

[AutoMechanic]

As a 23 year old I’m just not a drinker really. I do have one or two beers a month max or occasionally a mixed drink like pina colada or margaritas or something like that but not often. It just doesn’t do anything for me except make me tired and really I’d rather drink tea or soda. I’ll occasionally enjoy a beer with a steak or when the baseball game is on but it’s just one and done. I’ve got a friend who downs 6 or 7 by the time I’m only halfway thru one. It’s just not really my thing.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Wait til they’re in their 30s, with screaming kids at home and a spouse that gripes all hours of the day. They’ll start drinking…

 

[ripcord]

Wait til they’re in their 30s, with screaming kids at home and a spouse that gripes all hours of the day. They’ll start drinking…

Well, not too many are actually marrying and having kids these days.

 

[56Cummins]

I feel like junk the day after a couple drinks.....yet I still like getting a drink every now and again.

 

[edyvw]

No wonder we are in trouble.

 

[dnewton3]

And yet they'll plow down several energy drinks laden with caffeine and sugar ... Or load up on grande sized extra mocha choco-holic whipped fat latte's ... And munch on chips, etc that are just nothing but processed high-calorie/low-nutrition crap.

Diabetes has been on the rise since the late 70's, with each generation. It's generally age related; the older you get, the more prone to be diagnosed with it.
In this graph you can see that folks below 44 have a fairly steady rate of diagnosis. But as you age, the trend lines are staggering.
So anyone who's 20-something today will have a lot to answer for in 40 years.

And then there's obesity ... also on the rise significantly over the last several decades. The "Obese" folks are really gaining ground, obviously. Oddly, both "overweight" and "extremely obese" haven't changed much at all in decades. While I agree it's wrong to "fat shame" people, it's also not good to go along with their delusional viewpoint of being really fat is OK.

So, in summary, the youth of today are less likely to die of ESLD because they don't drink as much alcohol. That's a net positive.
Instead, they'll die of diabetes and weight-related problems as they age.
I'm not saying one is better or worse than the other.
It's a matter of picking your poison (literally).

Just trying to keep things in perspective.

 

[iahawk]

oddly enough I'm drinking a beer while reading this...at 12:22 AM...but yes, I agree that the younger generation have little interest in bars and drinking heavily like we did back in the day

 

[RhondaHonda]

I feel like it’s a combination of a cultural change with regards to health, legalized weed, and reduced cravings due to weight loss meds.

 

[Pew]

Could be - but I think the decline is the percentage of people, not the amount. Are there lots of people that smoke weed but don't drink at all? I don't know - not my scene.

Yep, I'm one of those that above but don't drink. Once on a rare occasion I'll grab an Amaretto Sour if I'm going out for dinner. Most my friends are the same way too.

 

[2009Caraman]

I didnt read the article but it does seem drinking is down. When I was young all we did was smoke and drink. In the parks, in bars, wherever you could. Just a waste of money and valuable time looking back on it(at least what can be recalled).

I know smoking rates among 25 and under have plummetted. Its quite impressive really.

 

[Escape08]

What ever thr poll says, there still going to be DWI

 

[Zee09]

Kidney stones are on the way up

 

[SC Maintenance]

Kidney stones are on the way up

Always the optimist.

 

[SC Maintenance]

And yet they'll plow down several energy drinks laden with caffeine and sugar ... Or load up on grande sized extra mocha choco-holic whipped fat latte's ... And munch on chips, etc that are just nothing but processed high-calorie/low-nutrition crap.

Diabetes has been on the rise since the late 70's, with each generation. It's generally age related; the older you get, the more prone to be diagnosed with it.
In this graph you can see that folks below 44 have a fairly steady rate of diagnosis. But as you age, the trend lines are staggering.
So anyone who's 20-something today will have a lot to answer for in 40 years.
View attachment 295427



And then there's obesity ... also on the rise significantly over the last several decades. The "Obese" folks are really gaining ground, obviously. Oddly, both "overweight" and "extremely obese" haven't changed much at all in decades. While I agree it's wrong to "fat shame" people, it's also not good to go along with their delusional viewpoint of being really fat is OK.

View attachment 295428



So, in summary, the youth of today are less likely to die of ESLD because they don't drink as much alcohol. That's a net positive.
Instead, they'll die of diabetes and weight-related problems as they age.
I'm not saying one is better or worse than the other.
It's a matter of picking your poison (literally).

Just trying to keep things in perspective.

Your not wrong, and there is refined sugar in everything unless you make it from scratch, and our entire lifestyle is sedentary unless you make an effort for it not to be.

But I don't think lack of drinking has anything to do with health, especially for young people. Its just not a social thing like it used to be.