Brief
Heavy drinking rises among U.S. adults 50‑64 as overall alcohol use falls
A USC‑Keck Medicine study shows a sharp increase in heavy drinking among adults 50‑64, even as total alcohol consumption drops across other age groups.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Sept. 21 found that heavy drinking among U.S. adults aged 50 to 64 rose by more than 36% between 2018 and 2024, while overall alcohol use fell by nearly 2% from 2022 to 2024, according to nypost.com.
The study, led by the University of Southern California/Keck Medicine, analyzed self‑reported data from the National Health Interview Survey covering 114,352 adults from 2018 to 2024. Heavy drinking was defined 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, within the preceding 12 months.
Across all age groups, alcohol use declined by about 2% and heavy drinking fell by more than 8% from 2022 to 2024. However, the overall level of consumption remains above pre‑pandemic levels. Among Gen Z adults, alcohol use dropped by over 5%, and Millennials consumed roughly 17% less from 2022 to 2024.
Lead author Brian P. Lee, M.D., associate professor of medicine at USC’s Keck School, told Fox News Digital that women’s heavy drinking rose more than men’s during the pandemic and remains about 13% above 2018 levels. He noted that women develop liver damage at lower drinking levels, giving the increase added significance.
Study limitations include reliance on self‑reported drinking, which tends to understate actual consumption, and an inability to determine why drinking patterns changed, Lee said.
Key facts
- Heavy drinking among U.S. adults 50‑64 increased by more than 36% from 2018 to 2024. (nypost.com)
- Overall alcohol use declined by nearly 2% across all age groups from 2022 to 2024. (nypost.com)
- The study used self‑reported data from 114,352 U.S. adults in the National Health Interview Survey (2018‑2024). (nypost.com)
- Heavy drinking definitions: ≥5 drinks/day or ≥15 drinks/week for men; ≥4 drinks/day or ≥8 drinks/week for women. (nypost.com)
- Findings were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Sept. 21, 2026. (nypost.com)
What we don't know yet
- Reasons behind the increase in heavy drinking among adults 50‑64
- Impact of the trend on public health policy
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Heavy drinking surges among one age group of Americans — as other generations cut back”
