A new study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine indicates a shift in alcohol consumption patterns across the United States. While the overall percentage of US adults who drink any alcohol decreased between 2022 and 2024, adults aged 50 to 64, broadly corresponding to Generation X, were the only age group to show a continued increase in drinking.
This demographic also saw the highest increases in heavy drinking, defined as more than 15 drinks per week for males and eight for females. The rate of heavy drinking for this group rose from 5.6% in 2018 to 7.7% in 2024, contrasting with a decrease in heavy drinking among adults under 40.
Dr Brian P Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist at Keck Medicine of USC and the study's principal investigator, noted that this combination is particularly concerning due to the health risks associated with alcohol consumption in this age group. Research suggests that the average age for the onset of alcoholic cirrhosis is 52, and most alcohol-associated cancers occur in people aged 50 or older.
The trend among younger generations to reduce alcohol intake has impacted businesses such as bars, which have traditionally relied on younger crowds. Some venues are now adapting their offerings and event times to cater to the older demographic that is drinking more.