An interesting trend is occurring across the globe related to drinking. While on one end of the age spectrum, drinking is becoming more common and more problematic, on the other end, the percentage of people choosing to abstain is increasing. Multiple research studies have been done concluding this evolution.

The results may or may not surprise you, but the rate of alcohol consumption by younger people (those in their early 20’s) is dropping compared to 10 years ago. Unfortunately, the “older” generations (i.e. 45-65 and even 65 and over) is where the rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are increasing at alarming rates.

This culture shift is a long time coming! The available resources, including online groups and mocktail recipes, are making becoming a non-drinker easier than ever. Dare I say that we are on the cusp of calling it ‘cool’ to be alcohol free? It could be the wave of the future!

In trend-setting cities, such as New York and Austin, you will soon find alcohol-free bars - the first of their kind! There are a number of celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Bradley Cooper, and Tim McGraw (to name just a few) who are alcohol-free and proud of it! I’m even considering reaching out to Dogfish Head and Seacrets to convince them to get on the train.

It’s no secret that we live in a world that is much more health conscious than it has ever been and I believe this is a major contributing factor to the swing of the pendulum toward not drinking. After all, isn’t eating organic and super healthy somewhat counterproductive if we are only going to ingest known toxins and poison into our system anyway?

PS - In today’s ACT, we examine the belief that ‘alcohol makes me happy’. It’s time to clarify where this belief came from and to discuss what kinds of things really do make us happy and how, over time, alcohol has become synonymous with happiness. This ACT ends with a happiness exercise that will help you turn your belief that ‘alcohol makes me happy’ into a belief that ‘alcohol does NOT make me happy’.