10 facts about Coloradans and alcohol as ‘Dry January’ begins

As Americans embark on the new year, some are taking on the challenge of "Dry January" by abstaining from alcohol.  Here are 10 facts about Americans' odd relationship with alcohol and why taking a break in January might be a good idea:

1. A July 2023 Gallup survey reveals that 62% of U.S. adults consume alcohol, while 38% choose to abstain entirely. This marks a consistent trend over the years, with the highest percentage of adults drinking alcohol reported in the late 1970s at 71%.

2. Certain demographics are more likely to drink alcohol, including adults aged 35 to 54, those with a college degree, and individuals with household incomes of $100,000 or more. Additionally, those who attend church less than once a week have a higher likelihood of consuming alcohol.

3. Among adults who do drink, a significant majority (69%) report having had a drink within the past week, according to the same Gallup survey. This includes 32% who had a drink within the last 24 hours and 37% within the last two to seven days. Meanwhile, 32% say their last drink was more than a week ago.

4. The Gallup survey also highlights that around 19% of adults who consume alcohol admit to occasionally drinking more than they believe they should. Men, younger adults, and upper-income individuals are more likely to fall into this category.

5. For those who choose not to drink, the most common reason cited is simply not having the desire to do so. Approximately 24% of nondrinkers express this sentiment in an open-ended question. Other reasons include not liking drinking, concerns about it being unhealthy, fear of the consequences, and past negative experiences with alcohol.

6. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Americans have been consuming more alcohol in recent years. In 2021, the average American aged 21 or older consumed 2.83 gallons of pure alcohol, equivalent to about 603 "standard drinks."

7. The NIAAA data also reveals a shift in alcohol preferences. Beer consumption has declined since 1981, while wine consumption has increased slightly. Distilled spirits consumption has remained relatively stable.

8. Wine's share of total alcohol consumption in the United States has risen from 12.0% in 1971 to 17.4% in 2021, according to the NIAAA. Meanwhile, beer's share has decreased from 44.6% to 42.3%, and spirits' share has dropped from 43.5% to 40.3%.

9. Regional variations in per-capita alcohol consumption exist, with the West having the highest levels and the South the lowest, based on NIAAA data. State-level consumption estimates can be influenced by factors such as cross-border sales and alcohol consumption by tourists.

10. Interestingly, young adults today are less likely to drink compared to two decades ago, while older adults are more likely to do so. Gallup's analysis shows a decline in alcohol consumption among adults aged 18 to 34, with a corresponding decrease in recent drinking and excessive drinking. However, adults aged 55 and older show an increase in these behaviors.