Why Adults Aged 50 to 64 Are Drinking More While Younger Generations Cut Back
Americans are drinking less alcohol overall than they did during the COVID-19 pandemic, but adults aged 50 to 64 have emerged as the one age group increasing their consumption, according to a study published on September 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Key Clinical Takeaways:
- Self-reported drinking across the U.S. fell to the lowest levels in 90 years according to a 2025 Gallup poll, but midlife adults aged 50 to 64 are bucking the downward trend.
- Data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2018 and 2024 show that heavy drinking among adults aged 50 to 64 surged by more than 36%, as reported by Fox News.
- Researchers attribute the broader decline in drinking largely to Gen Z and Millennials, who are cutting back significantly compared to older generations.
CDC Survey Data Shows Midlife Drinking Surge
The study analyzed survey data from more than 114,000 U.S. adults collected by the CDC through the National Health Interview Survey between 2018 and 2024. While overall drinking levels dropped between 2022 and 2024—with 2% fewer adults reporting any alcohol use and 8% fewer reporting heavy drinking—consumption remained above pre-pandemic 2018 baselines. Brian P. Lee, M.D., M.A.S., a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist with Keck Medicine of USC and co-author of the study, noted that younger adults drove the decline while adults aged 50 to 64 moved in the opposite direction. By 2024, adults in this midlife bracket pulled significantly ahead of all other age groups in heavy drinking rates.
Fox News Reports Sharp Increase in Heavy Intake Among Gen X
Reporting on the Annals of Internal Medicine findings, Fox News highlighted that alcohol use among adults ages 50 to 64 increased by nearly 4% from 2018 to 2024, while heavy drinking within this specific cohort jumped by more than 36%. The study defined heavy drinking as five or more drinks per day or 15 or more drinks per week for men, and at least four daily drinks or eight weekly drinks for women. Men recorded a larger overall drop in alcohol use than women at 2.4% compared to 1.1%, but women demonstrated a larger reduction in heavy drinking at 9% versus 7.7% for men. However, women’s heavy drinking rose more than men’s during the pandemic and remains about 13% higher than 2018 levels, a concerning metric given that women develop liver damage at lower consumption thresholds than men.
Young Adults Swap Alcohol for Cannabis
Reporting on the same research, Time explored potential drivers behind the generational split in drinking habits. Lee told Time that public health messaging during the pandemic heavily targeted young adults who experienced higher rates of alcohol-related harm, leaving older adults largely unreached by targeted risk awareness. Furthermore, researchers point to the legalization of cannabis and the possibility that Gen Z and Millennials are swapping alcohol for alternative intoxicants. As senior drinking rates climb, older populations face heightened baseline vulnerabilities to conditions including cirrhosis and alcohol-related cancers.
Financial Stress and Luxury Marketing Drive Midlife Drinking
Prevention detailed additional theories from researchers regarding midlife drinking patterns. Alcohol is frequently marketed to this demographic as a luxury lifestyle item. Additionally, Jessica E. Salvatore, Ph.D., director of the Genes, Environments, and Neurodevelopment in Addictions Program at the Rutgers Center for Psychiatric Health and Genomics, noted that financial stress may also influence the trend. Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News that grief, loss, the broader loneliness epidemic, and rising social polarization contribute to increased drinking as individuals seek coping mechanisms.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.