Alcohol Consumption Patterns are Changing

At Victory Recovery Partners, a network of five addiction/recovery centers on Long Island, New York, we help our patients overcome their addictions and substance use disorders. Many patients suffer from alcohol addictions, but studies show that Gen Z is actually drinking much less often and in lower quantities than previous generations.  

People who fall into the age range for Gen Z were born between 1997 and 2012. Within this range, there are a number of people who are legally allowed to drink. However, even though they may have reached the legal age, their relationships with alcohol are changing as compared to previous generations. The International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR), a data and analytics provider, claims that from December 2023 to May 2024, 64 percent of those legally old enough to drink alcohol had not consumed any alcohol. According to the IWSR, this trend is not just occurring in the United States. Rather, throughout other regions such as Japan, Asia, and Europe, there has also been a decline in alcohol consumption among those in Gen Z who are legally old enough to drink.  

All of this information and data raises the question as to why Gen Z is drinking less frequently than previous generations. Firstly, this trend does extend beyond Gen Z. Research has shown that millennials are consuming less alcohol than the prior generation (Gen X). However, regarding Gen Z, they are more aware and conscious of the negative effects that increased alcohol consumption can have on all aspects of their lives. Gen Z wants to excel in all areas of their lives, such as at school, work, in their activities, and overall health and mood. They realize that consuming alcohol too frequently and in too high of quantities can severely impact their goals and aspirations both in the present and in the future.  

There is also another key element that may seem a bit less obvious than the reasons listed above. Technology and the world around us are changing. Decades ago, there was no social media – or even internet. If you went to a party and drank excessively, your friends would remember it and share the stories with you. However, there was no social media to make these embarrassing memories last forever. With our current social media and apps such as Facebook and Instagram, a photo or video of an embarrassing moment can literally end up on the internet forever. Gen Z is aware of this, as they are a very tech-savvy generation.  

Another reason why Gen Z is drinking less has to do with social media, too – but in a different sense. Many celebrities over recent years have come forward expressing that they have become sober, and as a result, their lives have greatly improved. There are so many examples of this, but just to name a few: Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Miley Cyrus, and Billy Joel. These celebrities battled alcohol and substance use addictions and were able to overcome these addictions and continue their successful careers. These success stories positively influence Gen Z, further contributing to their desires to not drink. 

The non-alcoholic beverage category is growing rapidly, as companies are eager to make changes that adapt to the new norms. In fact, the non-alcoholic beverage industry is one of the fastest growing in the US over the last couple of years. Businesses know there is a change that is occurring, and they want to offer products (non-alcoholic beverages) that will appeal to this younger generation.  

Victory Recovery Partners, a network of five addiction/recovery centers on Long Island, New York, provides total care under one roof. This includes behavioral health, medication-assisted treatment, psychiatric, and wellness services. Many of our patients are trying to overcome their addictions to alcohol. As explained above, we are luckily seeing a society where drinking is becoming less prevalent. For more information on Victory Recovery Partners, visit our website www.victoryrp.com