By Denise Calderon, Oct. 22, 2024
Generation Z and younger millennials have reduced their alcohol consumption compared to pre-pandemic use, according to a study published in Nature Health Journal.
The study disclosed that young adults between the ages of 21 and 29 consumed 13 drinks less per week after COVID-19. Six researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of Michigan observed 234 heavy drinking young adults and discovered that they drank about eight drinks less over the week, and five drinks less over the weekend.
Heavy drinkers were identified as those who reported binge drinking four or more drinks per occasion for female young adults, and five or more drinks for male young adults.
The changes in drinking habits have been consistent for up to two years after the pandemic, according to the study. However, solitary drinking amongst Gen Z and younger millennials has increased.
Alex Avila, a Cal Poly Pomona nutrition student, related to the impact COVID-19 and his environment had on his drinking habits.
“I didn’t drink much, if at all during COVID,” Avila said. “During lockdown, I spent the majority of time alone meaning that I did not drink.”
There seems to have been long-term effects from the COVID-19 pandemic that has changed Gen Z’s drinking habits.
Not only does Generation Z drink less after the pandemic, but the drinking among Gen Z young adults has gone down 20% in relation to previous generations, according to the Forbes Magazine article.
At CPP alone, many students like Erik Carver, a fourth-year civil engineering student, are prioritizing other things above drinking and other substances consumption.
“I am more focused on college and succeeding than drinking,” said Carver. “And even if I have to study, I’ll study and then maybe have a drink, but college does take place over drinking.”
Carver is currently in a fraternity on campus, and despite the reputation that Greek life has with drinking and partying, he is not the only brother in his fraternity that does not prioritize drinking.
Marrick Pandey, a second-year biology student, talked about his experience being sober and how putting his focus on healthier alternatives has positively impacted his life.
“I think going outside and being in the outdoors not only helps with your physical fitness, but mentally being outside and being able to de-stress and get away from everything that’s going on and all the noise that is on campus is a lot healthier than just drinking and smoking.”
Pandey, who has been sober for over two years now, has seen a great improvement in his mental health and has also been able to focus more on his studies.
Gen Z young adults seem to be shifting their focus on other activities such as going outdoors or concentrating on schoolwork rather than spending their free time drinking. They feel more fulfillment from participating in other activities that will give them long-term satisfaction, rather than a quick buzz.
“I prefer social activities over drinking because there is more to do,” said Carver. “Like going out golfing, in the woods, outdoors, stuff like that.”
With this shift seen amongst Gen Z, students believe their introduction to alcohol caused their tame drinking habits.
“I would say there is probably less drinking in Gen Z, and it’s probably because parents weren’t as super, super strict about it,” said Carver. “So, people didn’t take advantage of it being so hidden away where other generations had it hidden away, and when they started drinking it was like ‘I can obsess over this’.”
Gen Z seems to feel more comfortable around alcohol and does not feel the need to abuse it.
“It seems like a lot more Gen Z people are a lot more comfortable with alcohol and are not using it to get away and drown out noise,” said Pandey. “I think it’s because parents slowly introduce their kids to alcohol and not kind of put it on the top shelf where no one can reach it.”
The way that young adults view alcohol is not the same as the way it has been viewed in generations past. Gen Z has been faced with many hardships so far in their lives, and most of them have opted to be more responsible around alcohol. Many believe alcohol only impedes success and drives focus away from their main goals.
“I see more older generations purchasing alcohol rather than younger generations,” said Laisha Villanueva Silva, a CPP business administration-finance, real estate and law student. “I think it has a lot to do with Gen Z being more aware of the consequences and risks of alcohol consumption. I also think that Gen Z has it harder, since the cost of life is too expensive and stressful, which is why most of them focus on working and studying while heavily depending on caffeinated drinks.”
Feature image courtesy of Teresa Acosta
