Alcohol and Drinking

Line graph. Sixty percent of Americans in July 2021 say they have occasion to drink alcohol. This is down from seven in 10 Americans during the 1970s.

Line graph: Americans' likelihood to say drinking has been a cause of family trouble, 1947-2018. High: 37% yes (2004, 2018).

When did you last take a drink of any kind of alcoholic beverage?

Based on those who drink alcohol

	Within last 24 hours	Over one day to one week ago	Over one week ago	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2021 Jul 6-21	34	33	33	*
2019 Jul 1-12	29	40	30	1
2018 Jul 1-11	39	29	31	*
2017 Jul 5-9	37	32	31	*
2016 Jul 13-17	40	27	33	1
2015 Jul 8-12	35	32	33	1
2014 Jul 7-10	27	40	33	*
2013 Jul 10-14	35	29	35	1
2012 Jul 9-12	31	36	32	*
2011 Jul 7-10	32	36	32	*
2010 Jul 8-11	37	31	31	1
2009 Jun 14-17	40	26	34	*
2008 Jul 10-13	36	32	32	1
2007 Jul 12-15	36	29	36	*
2006 Jul 6-9	36	35	29	*
2005 Jul 7-10	36	31	32	1
2004 Jul 8-11	33	38	29	*
2003 Jul 7-9	31	40	29	*
2002 Jul 9-11	28	38	34	*
2001 Jul 19-22	30	32	38	*
2000 Nov 13-15	26	32	42	*
1999 Sep 23-26	35	25	39	1
1997 Jun 26-29	33	25	42	*
1996 Jun 27-30	28	26	45	1
1994 Jun 3-6	34	23	42	1
1992 Jan 16-19	26	24	49	1
1990 Dec 6-9	29	23	47	1
1989 Sep 12-15	32	35	32	1
1988 Jul 1-7	39	25	34	2
1987 Jul 10-13	38	30	31	1
1984 Jul 6-9	39	29	31	1
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Approximately how many drinks of any kind of alcoholic beverages did you drink in the past SEVEN days?

Based on those who drink alcohol

	None	1-7	8-19	20+	No opinion	Mean	Median
	%	%	%	%	%
2021 Jul 6-21	34	52	10	3	*	3.6	2
2019 Jul 1-12	31	55	9	4	2	4.0	2
2018 Jul 1-11	33	54	9	4	1	3.9	2
2017 Jul 5-9	32	51	9	5	2	4.1	2
2016 Jul 13-17	35	50	9	3	2	3.9	2
2015 Jul 8-12	35	50	10	4	1	4.5	2
2014 Jul 7-10	35	50	9	5	1	4.1	2
2013 Jul 10-14	37	48	9	4	2	3.8	1
2012 Jul 9-12	34	52	7	5	1	4.2	2
2011 Jul 7-10	33	54	8	4	1	4.1	2
2010 Jul 8-11	34	51	9	4	1	4.4	2
2009 Jun 14-17	34	51	9	5	2	4.8	2
2008 Jul 10-13	34	53	9	3	2	3.8	2
2007 Jul 12-15	37	48	9	5	1	4.8	2
2006 Jul 6-9	30	53	11	5	*	4.5	2
2005 Jul 7-10	34	49	11	5	1	4.3	2
2004 Jul 8-11	31	55	8	5	1	4.9	2
2003 Jul 7-9	30	50	12	6	2	5.1	2
2002 Jul 9-11	34	50	9	5	2	4.4	2
2001 Jul 19-22	39	48	9	4	*	3.4	1
2000 Nov 13-15	43	46	8	3	*	3.3	1
1999 Sep 23-26	40	47	8	4	*	3.7	2
1997 Jun 26-29	41	45	8	5	1	3.6	1
1996 Jun 27-30	47	42	7	2	2	2.8	1
1994 Jun 3-6	44	42	10	3	1	--	--
1992 Jan 16-19	51	36	10	2	1	--	--
1990 Dec 6-9	50	40	6	3	1	--	--
1989 Sep 12-15	33	47	13	5	2	--	--
1988 Jul 1-7	32	49	10	6	3	--	--
1987 Jul 10-13	29	50	11	6	4	--	--
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Do you most often drink liquor, wine or beer?

Based on those who drink alcohol

	Beer	Wine	Liquor	All/Same (vol.)	Other (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2021 Jul 6-21	39	31	27	3	*	*
2019 Jul 1-12	38	30	29	2	*	1
2018 Jul 1-11	42	34	19	4	*	1
2017 Jul 5-9	40	30	26	3	1	*
2016 Jul 13-17	43	32	20	3	1	1
2015 Jul 8-12	42	34	21	3	*	*
2014 Jul 7-10	41	31	23	3	*	1
2013 Jul 10-14	36	35	23	3	1	2
2012 Jul 9-12	39	35	22	3	*	1
2011 Jul 7-10	36	35	23	4	1	1
2010 Jul 8-11	41	32	21	4	*	1
2009 Jun 14-17	40	34	21	5	--	1
2008 Jul 10-13	42	31	23	4	*	*
2007 Jul 12-15	40	34	22	4	*	*
2006 Jul 6-9	41	33	23	3	--	*
2005 Jul 7-10	36	39	21	3	*	1
2004 Jul 8-11	39	33	24	4	*	*
2003 Jul 7-9	42	33	22	3	*	*
2002 Jul 9-11	44	30	22	3	1	*
2001 Jul 19-22	46	31	18	4	*	1
2000 Nov 13-15	43	31	22	3	0	1
1999 Sep 23-26	42	34	19	4	*	1
1997 Jun 26-29	45	32	18	4	*	1
1996 Jul 25-28	46	27	20	6	0	1
1994 Jun 3-6	47	29	18	3	1	2
1992 Jan 16-19	47	27	21	3	1	1
* Less than 0.5%; (vol)=volunteered response
Gallup

Do you sometimes drink more alcoholic beverages than you think you should?

Based on those who drink alcohol

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
2021 Jul 6-21	18	82	*
2019 Jul 1-12	18	82	*
2018 Jul 1-11	19	80	*
2016 Jul 13-17	25	75	*
2015 Jul 8-12	24	75	*
2014 Jul 7-10	18	81	*
2013 Jul 10-14	21	78	*
2012 Jul 9-12	22	78	*
2011 Jul 7-10	17	83	*
2010 Jul 8-11	23	77	*
2008 Jul 10-13	23	77	--
2007 Jul 12-15	22	77	*
2006 Jul 6-9	22	78	*
2005 Jul 7-10	21	79	--
2004 Jul 8-11	25	75	*
2003 Jul 7-9	24	76	*
2002 Jul 9-11	21	79	*
2001 Jul 19-22	20	80	*
2000 Nov 13-15	26	74	*
1999 Sep 23-26	24	76	*
1997 Jun 26-29	22	78	*
1996 Jul 25-28	25	75	*
1994 Jun 3-6	29	71	--
1992 Jan 16-19	29	71	--
1990 Dec 6-9	23	76	1
1989 Sep 12-15	35	65	--
1987 Jul 1-7	29	71	--
1985 Feb 15-18	32	68	--
1978 Nov 10-13	23	77	--
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Next, I'm going to read you a list of issues. Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that in general it is morally acceptable or morally wrong. How about drinking alcohol?

	Morally acceptable	Morally wrong	Depends (vol.)	Not a moral issue (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2020 May 1-13	86	12	1	*	*
2019 May 1-12	79	19	1	*	*
2018 May 1-10 ^	78	19	3	*	*
(vol.)=volunteered response; ^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Do you have occasion to use alcoholic beverages such as liquor, wine or beer?

	Yes, drink	No, do not
	%	%
2019 Jul 1-12	65	34
2018 Jul 1-11	63	36
2017 Jul 5-9	62	38
2016 Jul 13-17	65	35
2015 Jul 8-12	64	35
2014 Jul 7-10	64	36
2013 Jul 10-14	60	39
2012 Jul 9-12	66	34
2011 Jul 7-10	64	35
2010 Jul 8-11	67	33
2009 Jun 14-17	64	36
2008 Jul 10-13	62	38
2007 Jul 12-15	64	36
2006 Jul 6-9	64	36
2005 Jul 7-10	63	37
2004 Jul 8-11	62	38
2003 Jul 7-9	62	38
2002 Jul 9-11	66	34
2001 Jul 19-22	62	38
2000 Nov 13-15	64	36
1999 Sep 23-26	64	36
1997 Jun 26-29	61	39
1996 Jun 27-30	58	42
1994 Jun 3-6	65	35
1992 Jan 16-19	64	35
1990 Dec 6-9	57	43
1989 Sep 12-15	56	44
1989 Apr 4-9	62	38
1988 Jul 1-7	63	37
1988 Mar 8-12	62	38
1987 Jul 10-13	65	35
1987 Apr 10-13	63	37
1987 Mar 14-18	65	35
1985 Feb 15-18	67	33
1984 Sep 6-9	64	36
1984 Jul 6-9	64	36
1983 Mar 11-14	65	35
1982 Aug 13-16	65	35
1981 Jan 9-12	70	30
1979 May 4-7	69	31
1978 Nov 10-13	66	34
1978 Apr 21-24	71	29
1977 Jan 14-17	71	29
1976	71	29
1974 May 10-13	68	32
1969 Jan 1-6	64	36
1969 Feb 22-27	63	37
1966 Jan 21-26	65	35
1964	63	37
1960 Mar 30-Apr 4	62	38
1959 Dec 10-15	61	39
1958 Jan 24-29	55	45
1957 Mar 15-20	58	42
1956 Jan 6-11	60	40
1952 Dec 11-16	60	40
1951 Aug 26-31	59	41
1950 Jun 4-9	60	40
1949 Dec 1-6	58	42
1947 Oct 3-8	63	37
1946 Jul 26-31	67	33
1945 Nov 23-28	67	33
1939	58	42
Gallup

How often do you worry about your drinking? Would you say you worry all of the time, some of the time, not too often or never?

Based on those who drink alcohol

	All of the time	Some of the time	Not too often	Never	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2019 Jul 1-12	1	4	14	81	*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Has drinking ever been a cause of trouble in your family?

	Yes, has	No, has not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 Jul 1-12	36	64	*
2018 Jul 1-11	37	63	--
2016 Jul 13-17	33	67	*
2015 Jul 8-12	32	67	*
2014 Jul 7-10	36	64	1
2013 Jul 10-14	29	71	*
2011 Jul 7-10	30	70	*
2010 Jul 8-11	31	68	*
2008 Jul 10-13	30	70	*
2007 Jul 12-15	35	65	*
2006 Jul 6-9	29	71	*
2005 Jul 7-10	29	71	*
2004 Jul 8-11	37	63	--
2003 Jul 7-9	31	69	*
2002 Jul 9-11	28	72	*
2001 Jul 19-22	36	64	*
2000 Nov 13-15	36	64	*
1999 Sep 23-26	36	64	*
1997 Jun 26-29	30	70	*
1996 Jun 27-30	23	77	*
1994 Jun 3-6	27	72	1
1992 Jan 16-19	24	76	--
1990 Dec 6-9	23	76	1
1989 Sep 12-15	19	81	--
1987 Mar 14-18	24	76	--
1985 Feb 15-18	21	79	--
1984 Jul 6-9	18	82	--
1981	22	78	--
1978	22	78	--
1976	17	83	--
1974	12	88	--
1966	12	88	--
1947	15	85	--
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Do you, personally, think drinking in moderation -- that is, one or two drinks a day -- [ROTATED: is good for your health, makes no difference or is bad for your health]?

	Good for health	Makes no difference	Bad for health	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2018 Jul 1-11	16	55	28	2
2016 Jul 13-17	19	51	26	3
2015 Jul 8-12	17	52	28	2
2011 Jul 7-10	22	50	25	3
2007 Jul 12-15	22	49	25	4
2005 Jul 7-10	25	51	22	2
2003 Jul 7-9	24	49	25	2
2001 Jul 19-22	22	46	27	5
^ Asked of a half sample.
Gallup

Would you favor or oppose a federal law that would lower the drinking age in all states to 18?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2014 Jul 7-10	25	74	1
2007 Jul 12-15 ^	22	77	1
2001 Jul 19-22 ^	21	77	2
^ Asked of a half sample.
Gallup

Thinking now about your family and closest friends, how many of them -- drink alcohol -- many, some, only a few or none?

	Many	Some	Only a few	None	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 Jul 10-14	23	28	36	12	1
Gallup

How serious a problem do you think alcohol is to society -- extremely serious, very serious, somewhat serious or not serious?

	Extremely serious	Very serious	Somewhat serious	Not serious	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2012 Jul 9-12 ^	18	29	39	12	2
2005 Jul 7-10	21	32	40	7	*
2003 Jul 7-9	17	29	44	9	1
^Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

How important is it to have federal government programs that address health risks associated with each of the following? Is it extremely important, very important, somewhat important or not important? How about for excessive consumption of alcohol?

	Extremely important	Very important	Somewhat important	Not important	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2012 Jul 9-12 ^	21	34	25	19	2
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

How often, if ever, do you drink alcoholic beverages such as liquor, wine or beer -- every day, a few times a week, about once a week, less than once a week, only on special occasions such as New Years' and holidays, or never?

	Every day	Few times a week	Once a week	Less than once a week	Special occasions	Never	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
2007 Nov 11-14	7	13	10	9	29	33	*
2006 Nov 9-12	10	13	11	9	27	30	*
2005 Nov 7-10	5	14	11	10	29	31	*
2004 Nov 7-10	7	13	13	10	25	32	*
2003 Nov 3-5	7	16	13	12	25	27	*
2001 Nov 8-11	7	12	13	14	24	30	*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Do you think the penalties for underage age drinking should be made more strict, less strict or remain as they are now?

	More strict	Less strict	Remain as now	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2007 Jul 12-15 ^	60	6	31	3
2001 Jul 19-22 ^	60	6	33	1
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Alcohol and Drinking

Related Topics Include:

The Five Conditions Assessment

Recommended

Record-Low 54% in U.S. Say Death Penalty Morally Acceptable

Substance Abuse Hits Home for Close to Half of Americans

Religion and Drinking Alcohol in the U.S.

10 Major Social Changes in the 50 Years Since Woodstock