Drinking remains at record low in Gallup’s 2026 Consumption Habits survey
The survey found that 54% of U.S. adults ages 18 and over drink alcohol, matching the all-time low set in last year’s poll, which was the lowest since 1939. The share of drinkers began to fall sharply after 2022, when it was 67%.
Among those who do drink, a record-low 13% said they sometimes drink too much, suggesting even drinkers have moderated their intake. Gallup said the “decline in drinking since 2023 is evident across most demographic groups,” but noted drinking habits have hardly changed among Democrats.
Gallup’s July poll found that the share of Republicans and independents who reported drinking has fallen more than 10% since 2023, while Democrats reported just a 1% decrease. The numbers show 63% of Democrats drink in 2026, compared with 53% of Republicans and 50% of independents.
Recent studies also indicate some Americans may be turning to another substance to replace drinking, with an estimated 21.4 million Americans using marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis in 2025, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Researchers said it’s the first time daily cannabis use exceeds both daily drinking and smoking.
