The drinking rate is declining in the US, study says. What about Washington?
If you find yourself saying “no thanks” to a cocktail or a beer on a night out, you’re not alone.
Nationwide, alcohol consumption “has shifted noticeably in recent years, with a growing share of adults choosing to drink less — or not at all,” a new report found.
That holds true in Washington, which has seen a drop in its share of adults who consume alcohol, according to the Aug. 22ed date report from Trace One, a food and beverage software company.
Meanwhile, interest in alcohol alternatives has grown, per the report.
Here’s a closer look at the state and national numbers, plus the factors behind them:
How many adults in Washington drink alcohol?
Trend One’s report, using federal data, found that in 2023, 56.6% of adults in Washington reported consuming alcohol in the past month, down from a peak of 61.8% in 2015.
That placed Washington in about the middle of the pack nationwide in terms of percentage point drop, per the report.
Arizona had the biggest drop — 12.8 percentage points — between 2023 and its peak, followed by Minnesota and Massachusetts.
Washington was around No. 30, the report said.
How many adults in the U.S. drink alcohol?
Nationwide, 52.3% of adults in 2023 reported drinking alcohol in the last month, compared to a peak of 56.7% nine years earlier, in 2014, per the report.
“The share of adults who drank alcohol edged upward” from 2003 through 2014, and it’s been trending down since, according to the report, which said that, “although the national decline may appear modest, it marks a clear reversal of prior trends and represents nearly 2 million fewer Americans drinking alcohol compared with a decade ago.”
The Trace One report used data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Meanwhile, a Gallup survey in July also noted a declining drinking rate.
“The percentage of U.S. adults who say they consume alcohol has fallen to 54%, the lowest by one percentage point in Gallup’s nearly 90-year trend. This coincides with a growing belief among Americans that moderate alcohol consumption is bad for one’s health, now the majority view for the first time,” according to Gallup.
Why are drinking rates declining?
Trace One’s study highlights possible factors, including:
- More awareness of health risks
- Broader wellness focus
- Increasing legalization of cannabis
- Shifting social habits among younger people
- Changing cultural norms
- Changing beverage label requirements
Meanwhile, “Google Trends search data show that interest in alcohol-free beverages has surged in recent years, transforming a niche market into a mainstream category,” the report said.
It noted that searches for non-alcoholic beer, zero proof drinks and recipes for mocktails have grown, while beverage powerhouses have invested in alcohol alternatives.
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