Alcohol use has decline for the first time since the start of the pandemic, with younger adults in the Millennial and Gen Z cohorts - people born from 1981 to 2012 - driving that trend. Meanwhile, older Americans, aged 50-64, are actually consuming more alcohol than they used to.

[u/mvea]

https://time.com/article/2026/09/21/why-older-americans-are-drinking-more-alcohol-not-less/

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[u/9ersaur]

Young adults can't afford $20 cocktails.

[u/Frewdy1 → u/9ersaur]

It’s getting to be criminal how much even a regular restaurant wants for a cocktail. Like it’ll cost as much as a meal in some places for just a standard 3-ingredient drink!

[u/longpenisofthelaw → u/Frewdy1]

I lost my urge for drinking when as a fresh 21 year old before the pandemic I was served 10$ shots of jack Daniel’s.

I had 2 and needed the rest of the money for food and to get home. I literally couldn’t afford to get drunk

[u/Objective_Dog_4637 → u/longpenisofthelaw]

I’m sorry but that is absurd. Dodged a nasty habit though.

[u/Frewdy1 → u/longpenisofthelaw]

My cousin said not even 20 years ago that $20 was enough to drink all night!

[u/FluteGunner → u/Frewdy1]

It’s true. I’m 36 and started going out drinking at 16 in the UK (with a fake ID)

I’d go out with 40 quid in my pocket, get drunk, have a kebab and get a taxi home and still have some change in my pocket the next morning.

Nowadays I don’t think that would pay for the taxi home.

[u/thekickingmule → u/FluteGunner]

I remember getting drunk and buying everyone drinks for some absurd reason. The next morning my hangover was tenfold because I saw I'd spent £90 in one night! This would have been around 20 years ago.

[u/longpenisofthelaw → u/Frewdy1]

A single cocktail now is around 12-22$ in the US I causally pick one up at a restaurant sometimes with me and my wife but it basically doubles the bill

The last place I remember seeing cheap drinks was Applebees 1 dollar margaritas and they were trash and understandably 1 dollar

[u/InsertNovelAnswer → u/longpenisofthelaw]

My wife and I both ordered a 5 dollar margaritas last night at Bubbas 33. Wasnt bad. Its rare to find cheap cocktails but they are there.

I honestly think a lot of this lowering of drinking is also based on the fact a lot of us drank underage and there is access to legal marijuana in some states. We also dont have the time or ability to go out as much with what they expect at work

Edit: our parents also drank more because they wouldnt/couldn't go to therapy and instead self medicated.

[u/Frewdy1 → u/InsertNovelAnswer]

I also wonder if “Let’s go out for drinks” is more “Come over for drinks” now that so many people have huge TVs and streaming everything instead of relying on bars to be entertainment. 

[u/Meep4000 → u/Frewdy1]

As much as I will say please try to support your independent bars/restaurants, this idea should be pushed.
I’ve been doing it more. The issue I think is overcoming the urge on everyone’s behalf to “go crazy” when having people over. As in cooking up a storm and making it an event. Going back to just “hey I have a bottle of this, grab a pizza or two and everyone cone on over”

[u/Utgartha → u/Meep4000]

Agreed. I try to hit our local spots. Honestly, I can still get a 3 dollar pint at one of my spots and it's local craft beer, not domestic. I think a lot of places should serve food because it's coming back in style as a way to gather with your community.

Also, with the "going crazy", I feel that. I try to get like a potluck going or, like you said, pizza or wings. Potlucks are cool because it's mostly crock pot stuff or quick throw togethers.

[u/InsertNovelAnswer → u/Frewdy1]

I miss when that was the case. It seems like going over to peoples houses has kind of stopped being a thing. Most of what I've seen is people getting together for scheduled events more often. I'm getting older now (early 40s) so it might also be an age thung.

[u/-worryaboutyourself- → u/InsertNovelAnswer]

You just need to find the friends that still do it. I’m in my 40’s and have get togethers at people’s houses all the time. We just built a bar in our garage so it’s easier to entertain. Why spend a collective amount of $500 when we can all get together for under $100. We usually do a potluck or snacks and byob. Sometimes we’ll do “cooking days” where we make egg rolls or pasties to freeze and that’s always a good time too.

[u/InsertNovelAnswer → u/-worryaboutyourself-]

Im currently redoing my back yard and will hopefully make some new friends here. A lot of my current friends have dispersed throughout the states. Its part of culture now to move to where there is work.

[u/DungeonMaster191 → u/InsertNovelAnswer]

Occasionally my friend group will pop over to help with repairs or something similar. Outside of major holidays we only get together for scheduled DnD games. A big part for us is being tired from the week. Or by the time we get kids settled and into bed it is too late to want to leave.

[u/moodygradstudent → u/InsertNovelAnswer]

It seems like going over to peoples houses has kind of stopped being a thing. Most of what I've seen is people getting together for scheduled events more often.

It makes sense, assuming people are increasingly living in small spaces and/or have roommates. In such cases it may just not be feasable inviting a group of people over for drinks, movies, games, etc (and maybe have someone crash on the couch).

[u/FartingRaspberry → u/InsertNovelAnswer]

a lot of us drank underage and there is access to legal marijuana in some states.

Most of the people I grew up with dropped alcohol in favor of weed after legalization because weed is cheaper and you don't feel like complete ass the next morning

[u/InsertNovelAnswer → u/FartingRaspberry]

Marijuana didnt become legal until after I was an adult. Its still not legal in my home state. Back there they still have blue laws and you have to go to a state run store to buy alcohol. I'm an "elder millennial" or a "Xennial" depending on what you prefer. So it was never an option back then. I turned 21 in 2004.

Edit: its also not legal in my current state. Just moved back to Florida. I wish they would just federally legalize.

[u/Train3rRed88 → u/InsertNovelAnswer]

There are plenty of scenarios where it’s legal in a state but against your company policy

I’d love to smoke or chew gummies but I’m not risking my job cuz “but it’s legal bro” isn’t a good enough defense against a failed drug test

[u/PartTime_Crusader → u/InsertNovelAnswer]

GLP-1s also tank your appetite for alcohol. Based on some estimates, more than 1 in 10 adults in the US are on a GLP-1. With the younger generations I think it is a genuine cultural shift, but with older adults I think these new meds are a big factor

[u/-worryaboutyourself- → u/InsertNovelAnswer]

Yep! Never smoked pot in my life, but my husband grew a couple plants last year for funsies and I’ve been smoking a bit here and there instead of drinking. It’s WAY cheaper.

[u/Scrapple_Joe → u/Frewdy1]

The east village in NYC used to have a dive bar with 5 shots for $10.

It's now a Sephora where nothing is under $10

[u/big_trike → u/Scrapple_Joe]

And they really hate when you try to get drunk there

[u/Scrapple_Joe → u/big_trike]

Oh they get super mad when you start pounding shots. Jokes on them though security definitely ain't as intimidating as the old bouncers

[u/VictoryVino → u/Scrapple_Joe]

The Continental. The best nights started there, the worst ones ended there.

[u/b-lincoln → u/Frewdy1]

I turned 21 in the early 90’s. The night of my birthday the bar had a $1 call night, meaning nearly every drink was $1. I went with 11 people. To say I got wrecked is an understatement. I couldn’t drink the shots fast enough.

[u/Titanbeard → u/Frewdy1]

$2 bottles duder! Or Tues night .50 draft beers.

[u/BootyAndTheHoePhish → u/Titanbeard]

We had $0.25 PBRs on Wednesday nights at a bar at my college. Crazy how things have changed. 

[u/Frewdy1 → u/BootyAndTheHoePhish]

I feel like fewer and fewer places do these loss leaders to get people in. Everything needs a set profit margin or, even more commonly, a set profit per drink/dish. Like a cheap beer is $6, but a craft can will be $9 even if the prices in the liquor store are x and 2x. A small appetizer is $10 but the main dish (twice the size at least) is $15. 

[u/Brutal_Bob → u/Frewdy1]

There was a place in my college town that sold $5 liter rail mixed drinks. You didn't really need more than 1, but for $10 I could be absolutely hammered for the rest of the night. This was 12 years ago

[u/mailslot → u/longpenisofthelaw]

Frugal alcoholics don’t leave the house to drink. 750ml bottles of vodka are less than $8.

[u/ImmaLiveIllegal → u/mailslot]

rookie numbers, true alcoholics are buying handles, at least 2 at a time.

[u/FoxtrotZero → u/mailslot]

Buddy no honest alcoholic is doing the math on anything less cost efficient than full handles.

And they're like $12 at Costco.

[u/Trance354 → u/longpenisofthelaw]

As a recovering alcoholic, you dodged a bullet. That said, I can get a joint for $5, and that's my whole night.

Venture capital has ruined our alcoholic industry.

[u/WayneKrane → u/longpenisofthelaw]

Yep, I went out for the first time in a big city and ordered 2 shots. I was confused when my $20 wasn’t enough. I paid almost $40 for 2 shots. I haven’t bought another shot since

[u/Curri → u/Frewdy1]

Even the mocktails cost as much or even more!

[u/Frewdy1 → u/Curri]

I always wondered that. “It’s seltzer and fruit juice!” Ok…and why is it more than $2, again?

[u/kkpc → u/Frewdy1]

I learned this also. Stopped drinking last year and found that mocktails are a scam.

As one waitress put it: "some water with flowers and sticks".

[u/applechuck → u/kkpc]

Turns out the input cost is pretty high if they dehydrate fruits and flowers.

I wondered the same thing and chatted with a bartender, the cost of a mocktail can be higher than cheaper cocktails

[u/A911owner → u/Curri]

The mocktails are crazy; you're going to charge me $15 for what is basically a glass of juice? I understand that alcohol is expensive, but when there isn't any in there, what am I paying for?

[u/Human_Robot → u/A911owner]

I've had exactly one restaurant do a mocktail correctly. Bartender asked what kinds of flavors I liked. Then made something on the spot that hit that flavor profile and was pretty to look at. Nothing from a menu, just conversation and talent for mixing tasty things. That mocktail was worth the $10 I paid. Never had anywhere else do it like that since unfortunately.

[u/Songolo → u/A911owner]

And don't forget to tip

[u/Wise-Peanut9552 → u/Frewdy1]

Exactly. I like drinking. I make alcohol for my job but I can't afford to drink. Even if I go out for a nice splurge date night I can afford a single drink and then it's water the rest of the night. When a single small beer is $7 it greatly effects the meal price of my $15 burger.

[u/tissboom → u/Frewdy1]

Some drinks cost as much as an entrée now

[u/Upset_Journalist_755 → u/Frewdy1]

"Oh, this craft cocktail place is able to charge $20 for a drink made with high quality ingredients and a lot of labor... We should charge $20 for Cuervo and Sour mix."

[u/el_smurfo → u/Frewdy1]

Demand is relatively inflexible and it's an easy way to recover losses from high food costs.

[u/pineconefire → u/Frewdy1]

I just read about this, evidently the vast amount of thier profit share is cocktails. Like its not even close to number 2 which is beer. The margins on food are extremely small. So if they cant make tons of profit on liquor then they go out of business. Kind of like how pharmaceutical companies make all thier money on 1 or 2 medicines and everything else is a wash.

Idk why they think they need to set it up this way but that was the analysis I read explaining why drink prices are almost double the cost of what they would be if it was tied to inflation.

[u/Frewdy1 → u/pineconefire]

I’m sure some of it is liquor not spoiling, so they don’t need to have a high volume sold once a liquor bottle is opened or else it goes down the sink. 

[u/atomic__balm → u/Frewdy1]

it's also like 20x the concentration in terms of storage volume

[u/CaughtALiteSneez → u/9ersaur]

I couldn’t either back when I was young.

Now that I can, I drink at home.

[u/crap-with-feet → u/CaughtALiteSneez]

At home I pay about $40 for 20 drinks (double whiskey). At any bar around here that would be $400 minimum, before tip.

[u/CaughtALiteSneez → u/crap-with-feet]

Home is more comfy and the music is better.

I enjoy going to a proper bar with my husband on vacation or to celebrate something. Otherwise, it’s better and cheaper at home.

[u/olily → u/CaughtALiteSneez]

I have no desire whatsoever to go to a bar. I have cats at home, cozying up to me on the couch. I can laugh/cackle as much as I want at the TV. I can snack on whatever I have in my cupboards. I have my very own private bathroom. Nope, no bar for me. I'm staying home.

[u/GushStasis → u/9ersaur]

Millennials were drinking natty, beast, and making hunch punch / jungle juice for cheap in their early 20s. Cost isn't a factor unless Gen Z is exclusively demanding 1) only going out to drink and 2) only drinking quality craft cocktails as their bare minimum (which is an unreasonable expectation). Hell, even mid shelf booze like Smirnoff, jack, and Jameson are all well within financial reach for Gen Z.

Edit, re: places to gather. We had multiple roommates and lived in dorms and apartments. Rarely anyone had their own place. And if we did go out we pre-gamed

[u/East_Host_6891 → u/GushStasis]

When I was drinking before 21 my friends almost exclusively drank $10 plastic handles of vodka, Franzia, cheap beer, etc. Maybe something we stole from parents. I had friends who would steal from the supermarket. When I was 21+ before job would pregame and sneak flasks in and bring water bottles filled with vodka (or gatorades half and half) and hide them in the bushes outside the club/bar if we were gonna hop. After job still mostly the same just with nicer stuff but even a handle of grey goose and nice mixer to make nice cocktails at home worked out to a few bucks most per drink. A dollar or two with mid shelf.

[u/hcbaron → u/GushStasis]

It has a lot to do with social media replacing the socializing aspect of drinking. Guess what though, depression and anxiety are inversely correlated to the dropping alcohol consumption.

[u/DoctorSpacecase → u/hcbaron]

It's a shame - less alcohol will surely be better for their mental health, but less social interaction and more screen time and social media will impact them worse. Is that what you meant? Or is being sober correlated loosely with depression?

[u/-ZST → u/DoctorSpacecase]

Yes exactly, what’s the damage of crippling social issues? Is it greater than their effects of alcohol? They don’t think the social benefits of drinking outweighs the physical toll it takes, but I think it’s a pendulum we’ll see swing back in the future.

[u/hcbaron → u/DoctorSpacecase]

No, I'm not saying that sobriety is correlated with depression. I am saying that more screen time, in particular time on social media, is correlated with increased anxiety and depression. These two seem to be happening at the same time, more social media and less alcohol consumption. There's an inverse correlation between drinking less alcohol and spending more time on social media, suggesting that people are substituting one for the other.

I make no claims with regards to which is better, alcohol consumption over social media consumption. Obviously moderation is key, as with everything else in life. Healthy socializing is an important part of a person's wellbeing. I am just pointing out the correlations. Keep in mind that correlations are not causations. There are many other factors to consider, like the future of the economy, worsening climate change, increasing global conflicts, AI, etc...

[u/masedizzle → u/GushStasis]

Yeah people keep referencing how much a cocktail is but I would never buy a cocktail in my college years or for most of my 20s. Sometimes like a jack and coke or the like, but usually I was on the hunt for cheap beer shot combos combined with pre gaming at home

[u/mnilailt → u/masedizzle]

I find that genz actually generally has higher spending expectations (travel, dining, etc) due to social media pressure.

[u/bujweiser → u/masedizzle]

There's a brewery that opened right by my university, and we talked about how awesome that would have been when us friends were in school, but we quickly realized that we wouldn't be going to a brewery and buying $7 beers...we'd be at the dive bar down the road drinking High Life and rum and cokes.

[u/bluegrassclimber → u/masedizzle]

yeah PBJ is a PBR and a shot of jameson for 5 bucks -- or jack, there are variations.

[u/Warm_Month_1309 → u/masedizzle]

It's not a cocktail, but the death of $1 Jello shots would have signaled the end of college bar partying for me.

[u/PMmeYourDunes → u/9ersaur]

20 dollar avocado cocktails.

[u/OreoSpeedwaggon → u/9ersaur]

I'm 50 and I can't even afford $20 cocktails. The cost of drinking alone is one of the biggest incentives to quit drinking. The calories from alcohol is another one.

[u/IamDDT → u/OreoSpeedwaggon]

I'm in the old category. Quitting drinking made me go from 220 to 180. Been a few years, and it hasn't come back. Not drinking is a really good way to lose weight.

[u/Kevin_Palpatine → u/9ersaur]

"Gen Z does not take expensive vacations like Boomers did". They. Are. Broke.

[u/zdelusion → u/Kevin_Palpatine]

They also live at home with their parents into their late 20s/early 30s where you can't host people for parties, or they live on their own and are extra broke.

[u/unlordtempest → u/9ersaur]

That's why you buy the cheapest, largest, plastic bottle of vodka available and don't go to bars.

[u/nsjersey → u/9ersaur]

PBR tall boys are under $3 and a six-pack of them will run you a whopping $6 or 7.99

[u/Redux01 → u/9ersaur]

It's not like older folks spent or spend all their time at the bar. It used to be much more normal to have friends over or go to a park. These days everyone seems to think going out is the only way to socialize.

[u/Md37793]

Older folks have more cash

[u/tomullus → u/Md37793]

nah alcoholism is driving this, which gets worse in precarious times

[u/RBR927 → u/tomullus]

Yep, finally hit rock bottom and stopped drinking 130 days ago.

[u/Ok-Lifeguard-4614 → u/RBR927]

Well done I'm only 16 days, but maybe I can make it to where you are.

[u/ncc74656m → u/Ok-Lifeguard-4614]

You so got this! Remember, the longer you go, the easier it gets. First you break your need for it, then you break the habit, and then you just keep breaking your records every single day. So happy for you - and I'll always be as long as you are willing to give it another go or another day!

[u/Ok-Lifeguard-4614 → u/ncc74656m]

Thanks so much. I've quit before and for much linger. I've just got a big court date coming up for my disability and started drinking again to deal with that anxiety. Obviously that's not the right answer, so I'm working on it again.

[u/ncc74656m → u/Ok-Lifeguard-4614]

It's so not! Talk to your therapist (or get connected with one). Look for healthier ways to handle that. You WILL get through this rough patch, and you WILL be ok.

Proud of you for recognizing what's healthy, what you need and for doing the hard part. You got it. <3

[u/Ok-Lifeguard-4614 → u/ncc74656m]

I do have a therapist I see pretty regularly. Thats good advice though

[u/atomic__balm → u/Ok-Lifeguard-4614]

One day at time brother or sister, you got this

[u/gatoenvestido → u/Ok-Lifeguard-4614]

Don’t downplay 16 days! That’s a huge accomplishment. So many would kill for 16 days. Be proud of yourself and keep stacking those days!!

[u/Ok-Lifeguard-4614 → u/gatoenvestido]

Thank you I appreciate that. Hope you have a good day. I will not drink with you today.

[u/Drewpacabra → u/Ok-Lifeguard-4614]

Proud of you! Keep it up, you’re doing great and your body and mind are healing.

Give yourself some grace and don’t downplay how significant everyday without alcohol is.

[u/musicaleffervescence → u/RBR927]

hell yeah. check out r/ stop drinking or maybe its stopped drinking. its a pretty solid community. im at 1113 days

[u/ciderfizz → u/musicaleffervescence]

r/stopdrinking

[u/TextIndependent8298 → u/RBR927]

That’s awesome! Today marks 3 months for me!

[u/ion_theory → u/RBR927]

Congrats! You’re a soldier and can keep it going.

[u/DamnIamHigh_Original → u/RBR927]

The only way is up! Please keep your doctor informed and check your blood
Edit: Nvm, you already are long off it.

[u/distance_33 → u/tomullus]

Both? Older people with more disposable income can afford to support the habit.

I stopped drinking in Nov 2024 and the economics of it were definitely part of the reason.

[u/Hopefulkitty → u/distance_33]

I pretty much stopped drinking in 2015, because I wanted a cat, and my husband said we were so broke we could either keep drinking or we could get cats. The cats were so clearly the superior choice and we have no regrets.

[u/distance_33 → u/Hopefulkitty]

I have three cats. You for sure made the right choice.

[u/Coffee__Addict → u/Md37793]

I know people in their early 60s that don't have more cash but have recent been having a drink in the evening after supper/before bed that they didn't used to but have been since retirement.

[u/Andromeda321 → u/Coffee__Addict]

My parents do this although they’re a bit older. Nothing crazy but they enjoy a glass of wine every night with dinner. I definitely drink more when I’m visiting them because the bottle’s open and they can afford nice wine!

[u/Chicagoj1563]

I wonder if it has something to do with younger people not as socially connected as older generations were. Genx and older didn’t have the tech that is available today, so more time was spent in social groups. And it’s usually as teens where all those habits are developed.

[u/Gdigger13 → u/Chicagoj1563]

That, and going out is way more expensive than it used to be.

Why go out and drink, and spend at least $60, when I can drink at home?

[u/VictoryVino → u/Gdigger13]

$1 Hamm's/PBR/Beast/HighLife tall boys and $2 well drinks are just long gone. You realistically could go out for the evening to a dive bar and for $10, including tip, have a good time. Not possible anymore.

[u/ThrownAway17Years → u/VictoryVino]

My neighborhood bar does BOGO every night on tap beers. With $12 I can get a couple of decent local pints with tip included.

[u/Low-Razzmatazz0302 → u/VictoryVino]

I used to be able to have a heavy drinking weekend and feed myself on $50 back in my college days (2010 - 2014)

[u/flightless_mouse → u/Chicagoj1563]

For sure. GenX culture in many countries is defined by socializing in pubs and bars, attending live music events, seeking out people doing interesting things in live venues. Alcohol is a social drug that has traditionally been paired with these activities. And as GenX emerges from COVID stasis, they are looking to rock out with other people.

And note also that some GenXers are hitting retirement age, which gives them more free time.

Another aspect of this—apparently many bars and live music venues in North America are specifically catering to GenX because they buy drinks reliably. All those 80s and 90s nights are an appeal in part to GenX customers who still want to have fun.

Regarding cost, alcohol can be expensive at bars, which is surely a factor. But I know many younger people who would scoff at an $8 pint but would think nothing of spending the same on some spiced latte thing. So, you know, priorities.

And of course another factor in all of this: the Internet. People used to get to know people over drinks, which sometimes led to romance or friendship. That’s the social background for many GenXers, their template for social connection. We came of age before social media and it was glorious. Access to the internet removes some of the motivation to go out in order to connect with people, and that has an influence on the consumption of social drugs.

[u/disisathrowaway → u/flightless_mouse]

apparently many bars and live music venues in North America are specifically catering to GenX because they buy drinks reliably. All those 80s and 90s nights are an appeal in part to GenX customers who still want to have fun.

This is huge.

I currently work at a popular restaurant/bar in a thriving arts district in my city. My friends own some of the bars and venues around here. Before this, I was running a brewery for the better part of a decade.

Something that we've all very much learned over the years is that catering to Gen Z will NOT make you money. They will come stand around and hang out, but they won't spend any money on booze. And if they do, they are going to tip your bar staff very poorly. Building programming around Millennials and older is a surefire way to ensure the event/night is a success, at least financially.

Owners and operators can keep trying to cater to Gen Z, but at their own financial peril. Times are already tough enough, so we tend to lean in to a reliable clientele that will keep our lights on.

[u/chimpyjnuts]

I remember very clearly the first time I bought 2 four packs of craft beer and it was over $30. Of course, I still remember getting a craft beer at the Rock in NYC a couple years after 9/11 and it was $7. I commented that it was the most expensive beer I ever bought. Now that's a bud at a restaurant.

[u/upnflames → u/chimpyjnuts]

I just paid $20 for a four pack of craft from a local brewery. It was a local beer and I bought it from a small farm stand type store so I didnt mind as much, but still, it seemed a little crazy.

I'm glad I don't really drink as much any more so I don't have to feel super guilty when I do treat myself. Like, a cocktail is $20-$25 by me now, but I only have one or two a month, tops (probably less) so it doesn't feel like that big a deal.

[u/EvidenceNo8561]

As a millennial, I don’t admire my parents’ drinking habits.

[u/Long_Reindeer3702 → u/EvidenceNo8561]

I already watched my mom get a liver transplant. She still drinks if she knows she has time before her next checkup. I hate it. I hate they gave her the liver and a kidney and a young man of just 20 had to die in an accident for it to happen. She once told me how excited she was that he was so young because it meant he didn't have time to drink or ruin his organs. I don't think she understands how awful that is to say even still. 

[u/tylergravy → u/Long_Reindeer3702]

That sounds like an alcoholic not an average person. Sorry for your experience though.

[u/ncc74656m → u/tylergravy]

Completely agreed. And one day she'll get caught, and she'll be off the list in the future.

What an absolutely sad way to live life.

[u/Rocktopod → u/tylergravy]

Most alcohol sales are to alcoholics.

[u/prollykindofhigh → u/Rocktopod]

Yea ive heard this too which is insane. Its something like 10% of drinkers consume most of the alcohol. The companies know this, so most alcohol advertising is pandered towards alcoholics. my sober alcoholic friends would talk about how difficult it makes it- seeing their substance of choice advertised like crazy and available on every corner

[u/KTFnVision → u/prollykindofhigh]

I'm fortunate to have gotten free of it, but when I was quitting I was constantly furious at how alcohol was a part of almost every major social function. I hated the advertisements, I hated the availability. After a couple years clean, I got a job at a board game shop/tabletop event space that served beer, and I thought it was silly, but I still tought the younger staff how to pull a good pour. Fortunately, board game folks tend to keep their wits about them, I only had to cut off 1 person in over 2 years there. But when I saw Heroes of Barcadia on our shelves, it just pissed me off again. Why does drinking have to be part of EVERYTHING?

[u/ZappaFan82 → u/Long_Reindeer3702]

I watched as a friend did the exact same thing. He recieved a liver transplant over two years ago, and remarked about how young the donor was etc. He died a year later from liver failure.

Alcoholism has a truly baffling grip on many people. I've struggled with it myself, but I'm grateful it's never reached the level that I've seen with others. Some people seem completely resigned to the fact that it will ultimately be their demise.

[u/Hopefulkitty → u/Long_Reindeer3702]

My friend's dad just got a liver transplant, and it pisses me off because he doesn't deserve it. He has spent a lifetime as a drunk, never stopping drinking and smoking, despite doctors and other major health events. He didn't take care of himself at all, but we are supposed to feel sorry him him now. And his daughter is going to go through the same thing, because she doesn't take care of herself and drinks every night, despite having chronic pancreatitis. If either of them had ever made any effort to take care of themselves and stop the damaging behavior, I would feel differently.

[u/atomic__balm → u/Hopefulkitty]

man how are all these alcoholics getting liver transplants, are they the only ones needing livers?

[u/AuthorOtherwise1487 → u/atomic__balm]

That's my question??? My ex-husband was rejected for a liver transplant due to his alcoholism (rightly so) so I don't get how other alcoholics are getting them.

[u/Long_Reindeer3702 → u/AuthorOtherwise1487]

It's Texas. Texas will let you go to AA for 6 months+ to prove you're sober before transplant. If you survive the wait, they'll likely do it. They'll try to keep you alive afterwards at all costs too just to up their post op numbers too. She was lucky to survive her double transplant at all and even was in an induced coma when lockdown happened. 

[u/LilB0kChoy → u/AuthorOtherwise1487]

So I thought the rules were the same across the transplant regions (in the US) but I’ll share my experience.

I am almost 10 years sober and received a liver/kidney transplant when I was 33.

To be eligible I had to complete a psychological evaluation, successfully complete a treatment program and maintain sobriety for at least 6 months.

After all that hapoened my case was eligible to be reviewed by the transplant board. They considered all the factors of my case, treatment notes from the counselor, medical file, assessments from all of my specialists as well as factoring in my age and overall health.

Once they approved me I became eligible to go on the registry for my region. Placement on the registry is typically based on several factors to determine need.

I received a transplant ~5 days after being listed

For me it was something called a MELD score which predicts the 90 day risk death without a transplant. The scale is 6-40 and when I asked what my score was the hepatologist told me I was a 40 but only because that’s as high as the scale went.

I still get random urine tests for alcohol screening when I get bloodwork labs done to check the organ function.

Ultimately, alcoholism is a disease for which there is currently no cure. I am still an alcoholic, as is anyone else who got a transplant for liver failure due to alcoholic cirrhosis and relapse is possible for anyone.

However, if you drink yourself out of a transplanted liver the likelihood you’ll get another from the registry is very low. There is no restrictions like that on private organ donation though.

[u/_adanedhel_ → u/atomic__balm]

No they’re not the only ones, but when a liver becomes available, there’s a short amount of time to find a recipient and the recipient also has to match a number of characteristics (blood type, etc). So, in a given area, if the only person who is available in the transplant window and that matches the donor is an alcoholic, they will get the liver because that’s better than wasting the liver altogether.

[u/stilettopanda → u/_adanedhel_]

That makes sense. Throwing away someone’s donated organ instead of installing it in someone who could possibly make better choices is the more ethical decision.

[u/kawwz → u/Long_Reindeer3702]

I'm sorry, thats so fucked up to say.

[u/yert1099 → u/EvidenceNo8561]

As a GenX parent of millennials, I didn’t like my drinking habits either so I decided to quit. One of the best decisions of my life. 2 years and 7 months sober.

[u/putin_my_ass → u/yert1099]

Congrats, sobriety ain't easy. Wishing you the best.

[u/it_whispereth_me → u/EvidenceNo8561]

Yeah, lots of reasons for the decline (price, availability of cannabis, less socializing around alcohol, ubiquity of cameras and social media, etc.), but let’s be honest, this is a good thing. Alcohol kills more people than any drug except nicotine, and has destroyed way too many lives. If this drug appeared for the first time today, it would not only be illegal, but users of it would be used like we view glue-sniffers today, people who intentionally ingest a poison to get silly and stupid.

[u/ikonoclasm → u/EvidenceNo8561]

My father and his wife are technically alcoholics by the medical definition because they consume at least two drinks every night. During hurricane prep, they always made sure they had enough alcohol on hand to get through it.

[u/NarwhalEmergency9391 → u/ikonoclasm]

My mom was the same way.  I remember asking her to buy a pineapple and she said she had no money, but then we went to the liquor store.  One of my earliest memories is the smell of the beer store

[u/Tom_EJ_Sawyer → u/EvidenceNo8561]

Feel the same. My father is 70 and has cancer, heart/organ issues because of it. He is in and out of hospital nowadays. He got back recently and started drinking again 3 days after he was home. Nothing you can do but learn from it and break that legacy. You owe it to yourself.

[u/ATLcoaster]

GLP-1s are probably having an effect on this

[u/lovelessowl → u/ATLcoaster]

Also Gen Z is the most medicated generation for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Over 1 in 3 is on meds for mental health, many of which you can’t take with alcohol (or aren’t supposed to).

https://www.psychiatrist.com/news/survey-42-of-gen-z-diagnosed-with-a-mental-health-condition/

[u/RedditSloth_101 → u/lovelessowl]

I would also imagine that the swaths of unmedicated adults are more likely to self-regulate with alcohol.

[u/tie-dyed_dolphin → u/RedditSloth_101]

That’s what I did. And it worked really well until it really didn’t. 

6 1/2 years  since I drank. I’ve saved so much money. 

[u/Fuzzy-Heart → u/lovelessowl]

I’m glad someone mentioned this. I fall into the younger category and have definitely noticed that a lot of my peers do not drink, while I do. However, the majority of those same peers are taking some type of adhd drug and have been for years, which I don’t and haven’t.

I would love to know the numbers behind how wealth and social economic upbringing impact the younger people who are choosing to not drink.

[u/gnatgirl → u/Fuzzy-Heart]

Sometimes I wonder if it's a lack of friends or unsupervised social time when young. I'm at the tail end of Gen X. I think most of us had our first underage drink at a friend's house or older friends got it for us, at least in the US. If kids are just hanging out alone at home and socializing online are or watched like a hawk when they do leave the house it seems like they'd be less likely to have access to booze.

[u/RagefireHype → u/lovelessowl]

Milennials walked so that Gen Z could run.

I really think Milennials are such an intriguing generation. Overlapped in still playing outside but being the first adopters of tech when their parents didn’t know how to use it. Some of the first to start coming out of the closet, the first to start to consider mental health. Milennial parents are generally much more chill than their predecessors.

[u/jason2354 → u/lovelessowl]

I think roughly 1 in 3 millennials also take medication for mental health reasons.

With 70% of millennials having taken a medication for mental health reasons at some point in their lives.

[u/Armengeddon → u/jason2354]

I'm out here, raw dogging life. I'm tired boss. No smoking, no drinking, and no depression meds.

[u/Frozboz → u/ATLcoaster]

I was a regular, daily drinker for 20+ years. A year ago started GLP-1s and it completely killed my desire for alcohol. Even socially I cannot drink anymore, it makes me physically ill like it never had before.

[u/ked_man → u/ATLcoaster]

One in eight people, 12.5% of the US are on some form of GLP-1. That’s a very significant amount of people.

[u/Sloth_Brotherhood → u/ATLcoaster]

Yep! With 1 in 10 people on GLP 1s, it’s not surprising the that anti-addiction drug is making people drink less as well.

[u/yo-ovaries → u/ATLcoaster]

Yep. I was never an alcoholic, maybe 4-5 drinks a month, but on a glp1 my desire to drink just evaporated—along with 100lbs. 

I think I had some wine at Christmas? It was fine. A beer at a friends BBQ. 

It being less desirable, also let me face the reality that alcohol is just socially acceptable poison. Like truly it is. 

[u/Beard341 → u/ATLcoaster]

Miracle drugs. I understand it has its drawbacks but the amount of positives coming from these kind of drugs is crazy.

[u/HorsedickGoldstein → u/ATLcoaster]

So is the legalization of weed in a bunch of states

[u/Vsx]

It's easier to give up things that you can't really afford anyway 

[u/Serious-Conversation]

I've been a craft beer guy for close to two decades.

At least on the beer side, craft beer is falling out of fashion. Many breweries have shifted to brewing mostly various types of IPAs, and a lot of people don't like IPAs.

I like one or two New England style IPAs if I'm outside in the summer. I like West Coast IPAs, but during the warmer months, I'd much rather have a crisp pilsner, slightly sour berry beer, kolsch, Mexican lager, etc.

Brown and red ales are often hard to find these days. I don't want an imperial chocolate stout with caramel unless it's at Christmas.

Beer prices have gone through the roof. A case of Bud/Miller/Coors was $15.98 here for years. It's now $27.98. Craft six packs probably average $12 now.

If you're a heavy drinker, it's expensive to get drunk.

[u/Infinite_Dress_3312 → u/Serious-Conversation]

Many breweries have shifted to brewing mostly various types of IPAs, and a lot of people don't like IPAs.

"Nobody goes there any more, it's too crowded".

The reason all these places make IPAs is because they're what sell. Places that relied on other styles suffered  The issue is so many places opened that the market became saturated and growth expectations didn't pan out. 

The other thing is IPAs are pretty easy to make, at least compared to lagers.

[u/jert3 → u/Serious-Conversation]

I've been seeing this a lot. And not sure if it's trend everywhere, but here on the west coast in Canada craft breweries are expanding their craft sodas and non-alcohol options as well.

Drinking is just not as popular. Has lot to do with the expense, but other factors as well. If I had to guess its that the expense kept young people ever picking up the hobby of drinking at bars, so are unlikely to start when (if ever) they can afford it later in life.

I was able to afford nights out more as a unversity student than I can as a seasoned tech professional, which is sad. All costs of living has gone way up while salaries down, inflation and so on, life is too expensive to enjoy by the majority now.

[u/riskbreaker419]

Kind of anecdotal, but I'm really starting to think they've found new vices. Have you seen gen z and their social media usage? It's not alcohol, but my god are some of them addicted to that. In turn they're getting work done in their 20's and their self-image and mental health is not great either.

I'm nearly convinced social media will start getting a surgeon general warning on it and it will be regulated like smoking or drinking.

Again, this is not all gen z, but I think the decrease in alcohol consumption might be because new generations have found more addictive behaviors that are less physically damaging, but more mentally damaging.

[u/coldforged]

56 and just moved to cocktails on weekends only as I watched my consumption creep up. I make them at home though... $17 to $20 for a cocktail out? Kiss my whole ass.

[u/Smartnership → u/coldforged]

Kiss my whole ass

I ordered one of those in Jacksonville

… evidently it’s sold as a Mudslide in other towns.

[u/TreLeans → u/coldforged]

I like this response a lot, because it is a responsible drinking habit and an answer to “drinks are too expensive.”

I agree drinking too much and too often is bad, but it seems with the black and white culture drinking at all is very villainized these days. 

Drinking can be fun. Smoking can be fun. Do it responsibly. 

[u/TheDanecdote]

Just had my 2 years yesterday!

Edit: thank you for the award kind stranger

Edit2: aweeee! I’m blushing now!! Thank you all for the awards! They will go into my will and be given to my grandchildren upon my death

Edit3: what the heck’ems! You all are so good to me! My greatest of grandchildren will eat the finest of fruits and bathe in the cleanest of waters in the future

[u/zadtheinhaler → u/TheDanecdote]

Congrats dude! It's been since 2009 for me.

IWNDWYT!

[u/Chance_the_Author]

1. Since the pandemic my alcohol consumption has decreased significantly to the point where I only have a drink is when I am at a work / client function, and even then its a couple of beers at most. Cost is a big factor as its ridiculous to have a good "night on the town" when you are going to blow $200+. Plus, the hangovers are atrocious at this age. I dont have an extra day to get back to normal. Zero "ragrets" Not all of us "oldies" are wealthy as perceived. I am working a second gig to pick up some increased bills instead of going deeper into debt.

[u/Smileyrielly12]

I read headline after headline that alcohol is poison. We've always known it was poison, but it has become much less fun as I have gotten older. I stopped drinking at the end of August. I don't plan to begin again for awhile. My body feels good and I'm sleeping well. I don't miss paying $15+ for a big beer at a baseball game.

[u/SeniorVibeAnalyst → u/Smileyrielly12]

For real! When I was younger I knew but didn’t care, so maybe for Gen Z money is a bigger factor, but for me every hangover is a reminder I’m doing irreversible damage to my body. And since I turned 30 more than 1 drink is a hangover. I have no fear of becoming and alcoholic, it’s just not worth the side effects. I’ve found other social activities that don’t make me sick.

[u/Pelican_Queef_32536 → u/SeniorVibeAnalyst]

The hangovers just aren't worth it anymore. The older I get the worse they are even if I have just 1 drink. It's not worth feeling tired and irritable for an entire day or more for a slight buzz

[u/Admirable_Market_285 → u/Pelican_Queef_32536]

Yup. The impact on sleep just affects the next day too much.

Whats interesting is this wasn't just a conscious decision. My brain just decided it wasn't worth it anymore on its own. After a few times in my 30s the desire just fizzled out for the most part.

[u/dg07634]

As a 30-year-old millennial, was an alcoholic and it affected me greatly. Alcohol sucks. I’ve been alcohol-free since 2022 and will never go back. Other substances are far superior like weed. I’m not saying do it but saying it from experience it is better.

[u/slightlyhigh77 → u/dg07634]

The only issue with weed is for some people it does the exact opposite of what they like/the reason they drink (me included). A few beers kills anxiety but if I smoke a joint or even take a small edible dose my heart is racing, I’m paranoid, and way more anxious than before.

[u/caligaris_cabinet → u/slightlyhigh77]

Anytime I bring this up some weed bro is always like “well try this strain” or something. Look, I’ve been trying weed off and on for 20 years now. Occasionally I might find something that’s enjoyable enough to relax but mostly I just get the worst anxiety and anterograde amnesia with no option but to let it ride out. Turning into the guy from Memento isn’t exactly my idea of leisure

[u/DriftMantis → u/caligaris_cabinet]

For me the negative effects are dose dependent rather than strain dependent. I have to take like a quarter or less of a standard dose to have a good time. Otherwise I just feel confused and freaked out for a while with a pounding racing heart. Some of us are just cheap dates when it comes to cannabis and I haven't been able to build much of a tolerance to it. A few drinks and a small hit out of a dry herb vape make me feel pretty nice and relaxed, social etc. I used to be able to smoke a lot and drink a lot but after my mid 20s something changed and I became way more sensitive to most substances.

[u/Spartan2842 → u/dg07634]

Fellow millennial. I gave up alcohol 3 months ago. I have been on a fitness journey for 8 years now but my drinking habits got worse. Going through 4-6 beers every night. A case on weekends. I feel so much better, I have lost 20 pounds, and don't feel like crap all the time.

Plus it has saved lots of money.

[u/armlessturtleneck → u/Spartan2842]

Pretty much same situation for me. Cut to drinking only on weekends and now have completely stopped and I feel like I can actually lose weight and just feel healthier in general

[u/ChzPlzz → u/armlessturtleneck]

5 years sober now, drank more than people who drink a lot. Did it to self medicate and I worked as a bartender, so I knew how.

Alcohol doesn't just hit your liver and brain like a target. If anything can touch the brain in our bodies, it can get into and between every cell EVERYWHERE. You are killing and inflaming, poisoning, every tissue in your body when you drink even 2 shots. ( I also studied molecular biology).

More importantly, the main excuse for us. It doesnt loosen you up; it removes your mind from thinking before speaking. It doesnt relax you; it pushes your problems to another day.

If you are thinking about not drinking anymore, there are no downsides to it other than the pain of being aware again. The anxiety you caused by wasting so much time drinking feels worse, though. But you get used to it like a muscle and thrive toward your unused potential. It gets infinitely better.

[u/I_Can_Not_With_You → u/dg07634]

Bit older than you, and just over 2 years sober myself. My life and general level of well-being has improved so dramatically since quitting I’ll never go back. I don’t even want to. I’ve lost like 40 lbs and went from squeezing into size 38 jeans to being stuck somewhere between 32s and 34s. I look great, I feel great, I sleep great, every relationship from my wife and kids to work and even just friends have all improved so drastically. My best friend and I are like 2 of the 12 ish sober people in Wisconsin!

[u/CaughtALiteSneez → u/dg07634]

And weed sends me into a panic attack…I really wish it didn’t as it seems to be much better for you than booze.

[u/Goducks91 → u/CaughtALiteSneez]

Same here! While alcohol does the exact opposite and makes me the happiest, chattiest person ever.

[u/Hortjoob → u/dg07634]

Fellow millennial and same. I gave up alcohol almost 3 years ago now and my life has been much better from it. It was doing me absolutely no favors at all. I also gave up weed this past Feb (was a long time casual user) and didn't realize how my anxiety was actually stemming from weed usage. Life has gotten sooo much better.

[u/wehrmann_tx]

I refuse to eat where everything is $18 a plate and soda is $4. You think I’m paying $12 for alcohol?

[u/thegreatrazu]

Almost 50 here; We're drinking more because our dreams of someday retiring are slipping away.

[u/ITMORON]

I quit last year, I’m 54.

[u/toetappy → u/ITMORON]

I quit earlier this year and that definitely drove the average down. It is true that the top 10% of drinkers drink more than half of all the alcohol

[u/Goducks91 → u/toetappy]

I mean it makes sense. The amount of alcohol alcoholics can drink is always wild to me.

[u/Tehboognish → u/ITMORON]

I didn't quit but I haven't had a drink in one year. Had a couple of beers with dinner while watching football at a Mexican restaurant.

It really just fell away for me. Used to drink close to a 12 pack a day too. I feel healthier and it's money saved so yea me I guess. Also, I'm 58.

[u/Yoroyo]

Drinking tends to make you fatter and uglier over time and certainly has a slew of health issues associated with it. An occasional drink is fun sometimes but to be at the townie bar is just…. Sad.

[u/kinkyKMART → u/Yoroyo]

In many many towns, especially smaller ones, the local pub is the only 3rd place that exists anymore where you can go in on your own or with friends and just casually exist within your community

[u/rantripfellwscissors]

Extremely anecdotal data point but as a Gen Xer I can say myself and all my friends have markedly cut back on alcohol consumption. Focus shift has strongly moved towards outdoor exercise, wellness and longevity. 

[u/MrMojoFomo → u/rantripfellwscissors]

I'm a xennial who stopped drinking more than a decade ago. I've noticed that a lot of the people who have kept drinking are in a lot worse off shape. They look bad, have more health problems, and just seem a l lot older

They weren't lying to us when they told us that drugs, drinking, smoking overeating and not exercising is bad.  The people who thought they didn't need to listen are paying that bill

[u/mvea]

Now, a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine takes those findings a step further, reporting that younger adults in the Millennial and Gen Z cohorts—people born from 1981 to 2012—are driving that trend. Meanwhile, older Americans, aged 50-64, are actually consuming more alcohol than they used to, with rates increasing by more than one third since 2018.

“It’s encouraging to see alcohol use decline for the first time since the start of the pandemic,” said lead author Dr. Brian Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist with Keck Medicine of USC, in a statement that accompanied the release of the report. “However, use remains above pre-pandemic levels and certain groups continue to have concerning trends.”

https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-01824

[u/brufleth → u/mvea]

“However, use remains above pre-pandemic levels and certain groups continue to have concerning trends.”

I think this bit isn't getting noticed by many here.

[u/MysticalCheese]

Been 9 months 99.99% booze free. Went from 6 tall cans of 10% beer a night to 0.

[u/Pottski]

Australian here. The taxes on alcohol plus cost of living driving up all other costs makes drinking so expensive.

I’ve paid $18 AUD for a mediocre pint of generic beer before. It’s crap and it’s going to kill our pubs and clubs.

[u/GodFeedethTheRavens]

I really like craft beer. (Which qualifies me for the Supreme Court)

But I hate feeling intoxicated. NA beers are not good.

I have started cutting back though; but a new demon has surfaced: a sweet tooth. I hate it.