The major issue regarding Generation Z is quite straightforward: many view it as uninspired.
Recently, 54% of American adults reported that they drink alcohol, according to a Gallup poll released on August 13. This marks the lowest percentage since tracking began in 1939.
From 1997 to 2023, at least 60% of Americans acknowledged consuming alcohol. Notably, for younger demographics, the decline is more pronounced. Self-reported alcohol consumption among young people dropped from 59% in 2023 to 50% in 2025.
Is this merely a trend focused on health?
Generation Z, often known for disliking nightlife, is reportedly planning gatherings focused on morning vibes with coffee instead of alcohol. https://t.co/l9mwrdq38a
– New York Post (@nypost) June 22, 2025
Gallup also indicates that younger adults tend to associate moderate drinking with negative health outcomes. About two-thirds of young voters believe that having “one or two drinks daily” is not good for your health, in contrast to only half of adults aged 35 to 54 and even fewer among those 55 and older.
Podcasts such as the Huberman Lab, led by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, might be encouraging sobriety among Gen Z.
The repercussions of even low to moderate alcohol consumption involve significant changes over time within the brain and body. Full episode in https://t.co/tphgkozqyg
– Dr. Andrew D. Hooverman (@hubermanlab) August 26, 2022
Huberman mentions, “Zero drinks is the ideal. Even two may take years off your life.” A clip featuring Rhonda Patrick in a podcast has garnered over 500,000 views.
He emphasizes, “I hold nothing against alcohol; it’s part of many cultures. But if health is your priority, it’s a simple choice.”
Recognizing the health risks of alcohol seems to be a shift. When did it become commonplace for people to disregard unhealthy choices?
Interestingly, obesity among Americans aged 18-24 stands at 19.5%, as noted by the CDC, though this figure was only 13.4% between 1960 and 1962.
If we look at energy drinks, they are packed with various additives, flavors, and sweeteners, yet their popularity among youth continues to rise despite health considerations.
Expressions like, “I drink red wine for health reasons,” or “I abstain for health,” seem almost like rationalizations.
Research shows that Generation Z is drinking less, smoking less, and engaging in less sexual activity. This might reflect broader lifestyle changes.
They seem to exist in their phones, finding an escape from reality; that’s not always a positive development.
– Noah Ryan (@noahryanco) July 25th, 2025
People often drink to ease social awkwardness—to feel more at ease. Yet, young individuals are spending less time socializing, making those moments of friction less common.
A Cigna survey from January 2020 indicates that nearly 80% of 18 to 22-year-olds reported feeling lonely “sometimes or always,” and the disruptions caused by lockdowns worsened this sense of isolation.
Currently, one in four young men in America describes feelings of loneliness, according to Gallup’s May 2025 polling, with young women also reporting significant levels at 18%.
Multiplayer games and dating apps are becoming substitutes for traditional friendships and relationships, providing a more familiar setting. Nevertheless, relying on online interactions can feel less fulfilling.
The internet has its perks but can also feel like a poor substitute for genuine friendships.
