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Individual alcohol consumption has surged among young adults, reaching levels not observed since the late 1970s.

This pattern, highlighted in a study by the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University, is particularly visible among young women, minimizing the traditional gender divide in this high-risk drinking activity. It signifies a transformation in drinking behaviors, raising concerns for public health professionals.

Published in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research, the research monitored solitary drinking trends among those aged 19 to 30 from 1977 to 2022, uncovering trends with significant public health ramifications.

“The data indicate that the disparity between genders has diminished,” stated co-author Megan Patrick, research professor at U-M’s Institute for Social Research. “Over the last quarter-century, solitary drinking has particularly surged among young women. Around 40% of young adults reported consuming alcohol while alone at least once in the past year.”

The research examined information from 12,851 participants in the Monitoring the Future Panel study administered at U-M.

After an initial decrease, the rate of solitary drinking started an upward trend in the mid-1990s, with a notable escalation among young women from the late 1990s onwards, effectively closing the historical gender divide in this risky behavior.

This alarming trend underscores an immediate necessity for focused, gender-sensitive prevention approaches, the researchers assert.

“Approximately 4 out of 10 young adults who consume alcohol indicate having drank alone at least once during the past year,” remarked lead author Kasey Creswell, associate professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon.

“This is significant because solitary consumption is a strong indicator of alcohol use disorder. Unlike social drinking, solitary consumption is often tied to drinking as a means of coping with negative emotions such as anxiety or depression, which can lead to increased consumption and potentially problematic drinking behaviors. The rising incidence of solitary drinking, particularly among young women, may indicate a shift in drinking practices that could heighten the risk for future alcohol-related consequences.”

Individual alcohol use, frequently a strategy to handle stress or isolation, is associated with negative long-term outcomes, including an increased likelihood of developing severe alcohol-related difficulties, according to the researchers.

The results pose critical concerns for prevention and early intervention initiatives.

“Solitary drinking appears to be a significant warning sign for impending alcohol-related issues,” Creswell stated. “By recognizing this trend early, particularly among demographic groups where it is increasing, like young women, public health strategies can more effectively allocate resources to those who may be at greater risk. Tracking solitary alcohol use trends can also aid in shaping policy decisions and designing educational campaigns that extend beyond just the quantity of alcohol consumed to encompass the context and motivations behind the consumption.”

The research received funding from the National Institutes of Health (under award numbers R03 AA030666, R01 AA023504, R01 DA01411, and R01 DA016575). The views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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