Americans Cut Back on Alcohol Consumption, Poll Shows

Recent data indicates a significant decline in alcohol consumption among Americans. As of 2025, only 54% of adults report consuming alcoholic beverages, marking the lowest percentage recorded in nearly 90 years of Gallup polling. This trend highlights a notable change from previous decades, particularly the peak consumption rate of 71% between 1976 and 1978.

Health Concerns Drive Shift in Drinking Habits

The Gallup poll, which has tracked drinking habits since 1939, revealed that the declining trend in alcohol consumption aligns with growing health concerns. Research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism indicates that even moderate alcohol intake can pose health risks, including links to certain cancers and heart problems. In light of these findings, the World Health Organization stated in 2023 that “no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.”

Gallup’s findings, released on August 13, show a shift in public perception regarding alcohol. More than half of respondents now believe that drinking is detrimental to health, an increase from 45% in 2024. Only 6% of those surveyed consider drinking beneficial to health.

Demographics of Changing Attitudes

Young adults, particularly those aged 18 to 34, are leading this shift in attitudes. Approximately 66% of individuals in this age group view drinking negatively. The sentiment is also shared by 50% of respondents aged 35 to 44, and 48% of those aged 55 and older. The survey also indicates that women are more likely than men to associate moderate drinking with health risks, with 60% of women supporting this view compared to 47% of men.

The definitions of moderate drinking vary among health organizations. According to the Mayo Clinic, moderate consumption is defined as up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Examples of one drink include a standard glass of wine or a beer.

The survey data is based on phone interviews conducted by ReconMR from July 7 to 21, involving a random sample of 1,002 adults aged 18 and older across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The margin of sampling error for the total sample is ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. For the subset of 583 adults who drink alcohol, the margin of error is ±5 percentage points.

As American attitudes toward alcohol continue to evolve, the implications for public health and social norms could be significant. This shift reflects a broader awareness of the potential health risks associated with alcohol consumption, prompting many to reconsider their drinking habits.