In the past year, nearly 28 million Americans met the criteria for an alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). That’s roughly one in ten people aged 12 and older.
At the same time, surveys show fewer Americans are drinking, especially younger adults. Gallup’s 2025 poll found a record-low 54% of U.S. adults say they drink alcohol, down from nearly two-thirds a decade ago.
So, if fewer people are drinking, why are so many still struggling with alcohol addiction?
A Cultural Shift: Why Drinking Habits Are Changing
Across the country, people are rethinking their relationship with alcohol. “Dry January,” mindful drinking, and alcohol-free beverages have made it easier than ever to take a break or cut back.
According to Morning Consult, 22% of adults planned to join Dry January 2025, while other trackers found even higher participation. Younger generations are leading the trend toward moderation and wellness.
Economic pressures, greater mental-health awareness, and even cannabis legalization may also play a role. Some studies show that where marijuana use rises, alcohol sales fall slightly. Others show the opposite. Overall, the research is mixed, suggesting people’s choices depend on context, motivation, and lifestyle.
“Many of our patients tell us they started drinking to cope with stress, not to get drunk,” said Dr. Gilbert Schmidt, a State Medical Director at BrightView. “Over time that coping strategy becomes dependence. Awareness may be growing, but the need for compassionate care hasn’t changed.”
The Paradox: Less Drinking, More Harm
Even as fewer people report drinking, many who do are drinking more heavily.
The 2024 NSDUH found 57 million adults (21.7%) reported binge drinking in the past month, while CDC data show 17% of adults binge drink and 6% drink heavily.
Alcohol-related liver disease, emergency visits, and mental health concerns remain high. That’s because the disease of addiction isn’t about how often someone drinks, it’s about how drinking affects the brain, body, and behavior.
It’s important to note that declining alcohol consumption does not necessarily mean fewer people will struggle with alcohol misuse or addiction. Many people who drink less overall still experience harmful patterns of use, while others develop dependence even as national averages fall.
“We have to move away from judging addiction by how much or how often someone drinks,” said Dr. Schmidt.” What matters is how alcohol changes a person’s ability to live the life they want.”
Laura’s Story: Finding Hope After Loss
“I Was Drinking Half a Gallon of Vodka a Day—Until an Angel Walked Into My Hospital Room”
For Laura, a patient at BrightView, alcohol became a prison after an unimaginable tragedy.
“I lost my daughter in 2016, and that loss sent me into severe depression and alcoholism,” she shared. “I was drinking straight vodka every day, half a gallon, just to feel normal. I couldn’t imagine life without it.”
Eventually, her body began waking her in the early-morning hours craving alcohol. “I’d try to hold out as long as I could, but by 2 a.m. I’d give in,” she said. “I was a functioning dental assistant, never missed work, but I was dying inside.”
Everything changed the day she went to the hospital and met a BrightView outreach coordinator named Tim.
“He brought me a pamphlet about outpatient help,” she recalled. “If he hadn’t come to my room that day, I don’t think I’d be alive. Everyone at BrightView has helped me in every way possible. They greet me by name, they listen, and they care. Today, I’m sober and living life the way it should be.”
A Lifetime of Masks: Rediscovering Safety Without Alcohol
I’m still learning how to feel safe in my own skin. But I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”
Another BrightView patient, who entered treatment in 2024, describes her recovery as “finally learning to feel safe in my own skin.”
Growing up in the 1970s, she said few people recognized signs of mental health struggles.
“Back then, behaviors just got swept under the rug,” she explained. “I wish people had understood what those behaviors meant. I wasn’t bad, I was surviving.”
Her path wound through food addiction, prescription medications, and eventually alcohol.
“I was killing myself with alcohol. My doctor told me, ‘You’re going to die. They don’t give liver transplants to people who are drinking.’ That was my wake-up call.”
After a long hospital stay, she entered BrightView’s outpatient program. She relapsed once but returned, determined to succeed.
“My battle is mental, alcohol was just the symptom,” she said. “I’ve learned to take off the mask I wore all my life and be honest about what’s underneath.”
Art therapy became one of her breakthroughs.
“We made a mask: one side was pain and loneliness, the other was the made-up side we show the world. That exercise hit me hard. It helped me see that recovery means finding safety, not just sobriety.”
Now, six months sober, she takes pride in the relationships she’s rebuilt.
“I’m part of my grandson’s life every day. My daughter trusts me again. I’m proud of that. BrightView helped me open up the secret I’d buried for so long.”
How BrightView Helps People Heal
Recovery doesn’t have to mean pressing pause on life.
BrightView’s outpatient program for alcohol addiction combines medical care, behavioral health, and case management so patients can heal while keeping up with daily responsibilities.
Treatment may include:
- Medication for Alcohol Use Disorder: medications like naltrexone or acamprosate to reduce cravings and support abstinence
- Therapy and peer support: evidence-based counseling that builds coping skills and community
- Case management: practical help with transportation, housing, or employment resources
- Flexible scheduling: designed for people balancing work, family, or school
“Medication can make the physical cravings manageable, but it’s therapy, peer support, and consistent follow-up that truly help people rebuild their lives.” said Dr. Schmidt.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk?
While younger adults are drinking less, older adults are increasingly affected. The NIAAA reports that nearly 3 million adults aged 65 and older met criteria for an alcohol use disorder in 2024. Aging bodies process alcohol differently, and long-term use can worsen heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
Women also face unique risks. They tend to develop organ damage and dependency faster than men, even with lower consumption levels.
“Alcohol affects everyone differently, and age or gender can magnify its impact,” said Dr. Schmidt. “Understanding those differences helps us tailor treatment and protect long-term health.”
The Bigger Picture: Hope and Healing
The shift toward mindful drinking shows progress. More people are comfortable saying “no thanks” and opening up about their relationship with alcohol. That cultural change reduces stigma—and stigma is one of the biggest barriers to getting help.
“When patients realize recovery is not a straight line, they give themselves permission to grow. That’s when lasting change happens.” said Dr. Schmidt.
BrightView’s Approach to Alcohol Recovery
Compassion. Evidence. Accessibility.
BrightView meets patients where they are, offering care that’s practical, respectful, and effective. Whether someone wants to cut back, quit entirely, or rebuild after relapse, recovery starts with one conversation.
If you or someone you care about is rethinking their drinking, BrightView can help.
Learn more about BrightView’s alcohol treatment plan.
Key Takeaways
About 28 million Americans currently live with an alcohol use disorder.
Overall drinking is declining, but binge drinking remains common.
Health, economic, and cultural factors all influence drinking habits.
Less drinking nationally doesn’t mean fewer people will develop addiction.
Treatment works best when medical care, therapy, and social support come together.
Recovery is possible—and worth it.
Sources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables and Highlights. Released July 2024. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol Facts and Statistics. Updated 2024. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/alcohol-facts-and-statistics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) – Excessive Drinking and Binge Drinking Data. Updated 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/data-stats.htm
- Gallup. U.S. Alcohol Drinking Rate Hits Record Low. August 2025. https://news.gallup.com
- CGA by NIQ. Dry January 2025 On-Premise Consumer Trends. January 2025. https://cgastrategy.com
- Subbaraman, M. S. “Cannabis and Alcohol: Substitution, Complementarity, and Public Health.” Annual Review of Public Health, 2023.
- Anderson, D. et al. “Medical Marijuana Laws and Alcohol Retail Sales.” Health Policy, 2021.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Aging and Alcohol: How Alcohol Affects Older Adults. Updated 2024. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/aging-and-alcohol
- BrightView Health. Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program Overview. https://www.brightviewhealth.com/what-we-do/alcohol-addiction-treatment/