Alcohol use is falling in America, but one age group is drinking more

WASHINGTON — Alcohol use among American adults has declined for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. But researchers are saying the encouraging trend is being complicated by a sharp and continuing rise in drinking among adults in their 50s and early 60s.

The study found that any alcohol use among U.S. adults fell by nearly 2% from 2022 to 2024, while heavy drinking declined by more than 8% over the same period. Despite the drop, alcohol use remains higher tha...