88: Why America Is Finally Putting the Drink Down

Alcohol is losing its grip on American culture. We explore why fewer people are drinking, from changing social norms and new health research to what we're seeing firsthand in addiction recovery. We also discuss whether people are replacing alcohol with weed, why substance substitution can still fuel addiction, and how to navigate social pressure and recovery.

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Transcript

Alcohol Drags You Down

Speaker 1 0:00

It drags you down physiologically. It dehydrates you. It dehydrates your brain cells. You just can't perform in a peak state when alcohol is really present and prevalent.

Welcome And The Drop In Drinking

Steve Coughran 0:11

This is the Addiction Recovery Podcast with Steven T. Ginsburg, founder of Restore Detox Centers in Sunny California. Enjoy your experience. Steven, so great to be back together with you today. I want to talk about a trend that's been developing over the last few years, and I'm sure you've seen it on your side, but I read this quote that Americans who drink at all, just Americans who drink across the board, dropped from 62% in 2023 down to 54% in 2025. And, you know, this isn't just, you know, a quote that's existing out there, but doesn't really show itself in reality because, you know, I have clients in the food and beverage space, and they tell me all the time how their alcohol sales are continuing to drop, which is a good thing, right? Because less Americans are drinking. I want to hear your perspective on this and see what you are experiencing as you run Restore and you you deal with people all the time with um alcohol and drug abuse issues.

Speaker 1 1:14

Steve, thank you so much. Really important talking

Health Data And Reduced Shame

Speaker 1 1:17

point, really imperative topic. I think to the point of the study, it's twofold. I think on the one hand, people are seeing more and more how detrimental even casual alcohol use can be, both neurologically and physiologically, and even its attachment that even a minor amount of exposure to alcohol can have towards health issues. So I think that's really bearing fruit, and to me, bear fruit being born is people drinking less. I love that. Secondarily, I think because of that, and because of the amount of information and exposure people are having, people are having these ongoing challenges and struggles with alcohol. And since there's less shame and more uh support and affirmation of sobriety and recovery, that's also working and pushing against the percentages. So I think cumulatively, those two elements are creating a perfect storm against the numbers that show drinkers.

COVID’s Split Effect On Drinking

Steve Coughran 2:20

Yeah, absolutely. And I was reading this other study where his talking about um, you know, the the Gen Zers and the Millennials, that whole generation with COVID, it really impacted their their socializing time, I guess, right? Because we're all in lockdown during that time frame. So many of them they didn't do the classical binge drinking and partying and and all everything else that goes along with typical high school years. And um, and perhaps they they just never engaged in that type of behavior, and perhaps that's why we're seeing it as well.

Speaker 1 2:58

You know, it's interesting too because on during COVID, I one of the things that stands out stands out to me is the amount of people who found themselves suddenly having some challenges with alcohol because of the isolation and some of the elements of COVID. But then conversely, I think some of the future generations of those very families also bore witness to the cautionary tale behind alcohol use and abuse, and it changed their trajectory as far as whether or not they were going to be drinking or be drinkers.

Alcohol Plus Other Drugs In Treatment

Steve Coughran 3:37

Yeah, that's interesting. I mean, what are you seeing on your end with Restore? When people come to Restore for help, is it mostly drug abuse or is it alcohol, or do the two things go hand in hand?

Speaker 1 3:52

I still see a great deal of them being conjoined. I see a lot of that. I definitely see more cases with opiates and elements of that source wreaking havoc, but there still is a real solid baseline of alcohol and alcoholism being an issue and people finally coming to the realization that alcohol is bearing unmanageability in their life.

Steve Coughran 4:21

Yeah, I mean that it's it's interesting. And in talking about just like the the overconsumption and just the abuse, I was also reading recently about overdose deaths related to alcohol, which are down about 24% from their peak. So, I mean, there's a lot of positive trends here when it comes to alcohol abuse. And I just wonder, you know, is this a sustainable trend or is this just a generational trend?

Peak Performance And New Alcohol Research

Steve Coughran 4:48

I guess TBD, none of us has, you know, a crystal ball.

Speaker 1 4:52

I mean, to a degree, yes, but I think, you know, I think success leaves closed, Steve. And I think people are seeing there's a real there's a real life hack, if you would, to clarity and to, you know, being really in peak state and not being, you know, really burdened by what a hangover brings and the way it competes performance. And I think we have really like performance-based generational people coming up that they want to be chopping at the bit, they want to be ready to go, and alcohol just really like listen, like this is a blanket statement. Ready? Like, alcohol's messy, like it just is, it drags you down physiologically, it dehydrates you, it dehydrates your brain cells. You just can't perform in a peak state when alcohol is really present and prevalent. And I think so. I think the trend's gonna expand itself. I truly do. And here's the other thing, and sorry, you triggered me. So good job. I like when I get triggered. The other thing I'm seeing is like there used to be the thing like, oh, you know, a glass of wine is actually thought to be quite good for you, and this and that. Medical studies are like completely getting away from that, like entirely. They're now pivoting towards like even like one drink could be detrimental to you and could introduce things that are making more like um prone towards cancers or neurological issues. So, I mean, when those things are coming to the light of day, that's gonna really more and more of a decrease in the use of an abuse of alcohol.

Steve Coughran 6:32

Yeah, and I mean you bring up an interesting point about the side effects of alcohol because you're right. Like I remember back in the day when I drink on the weekends mostly, and it's like I wake up the next day on Saturday, you feel terrible. It's like you're not working out because you have a hangover, a massive headache. And you know, with uh the younger generation, there, you know, a lot of times people are complain about the younger generation being, you know, entitled or lazy. And sure, there's use cases across you know the board, across every generation. But I also see, you know, to your point, this desire for performance. And they they want to they want to do well, they want to feel well, they want to be well, right? And you know, perhaps that too is is contributing to this overall trend, as you mentioned.

Speaker 1 7:18

I completely agree with that, and I completely see again, people they're they're they're tracking what's trending and they're seeing people who are achieving at a certain level, and they're even finding out what's their pattern and habit and life like, what's their relationship like with alcohol? And they're finding that those said individuals they're not participating with alcohol. Why? Is there some problem with alcohol? No, the problem with alcohol is it creates problems, and we have enough to do without creating problems.

Weed And Edibles As The New Default

Steve Coughran 7:53

Well, let me ask you this what about substitution? Uh, do you see more people going away from drinking alcohol and more people smoking weed? Because now that weed is legalized in a lot of these states, you know, perhaps the generations thinking, I don't want to have a hangover, but you know, smoking a little bit of weed, the devil's lettuce, you know, who does it really impact?

Speaker 1 8:17

It's gonna be you're you're spot on. There's gonna be matriculation, and there's the dials are gonna get tweaked, and there's more dispensaries, and there's people doing edibles. That's all that's all in the mix. Overall, for the moment, if you would, substance use, substance abuse, substance in general, mind-altering substances, those eventually all have to be stopped no matter what, by any individual. So it'll be nice to see this nation continue to get to a place where they're like, we're just gonna skip it. There's nothing it's bringing to the table. It's not for the better good. Is it always gonna be out there? Is it always gonna exist? Is there always gonna be unmanageability behind it? Are there always gonna be people like me? I literally have an allergy to mind-altering substances. The answer is yes, because it's being presented and provided and marketed too. And so it will continue, but it's gonna ebb

Why Switching Substances Backfires

Speaker 1 9:16

and flow absolutely.

Steve Coughran 9:17

Well, what if somebody came to you that was like about to leave or store after their stay, you know, and perhaps they had alcohol issues, and they said, Well, Steven, what if I just smoke weed? Is that okay? Like if I just I'll I'll quit alcohol altogether, but I'll just smoke weed a few times a week. Yeah, is that a safe substitute?

Speaker 1 9:41

They would hear the same answer they've heard from me at the table. Anything else you do will always lead you back to do whatever your drug or substance of choice was. Anything we choose to do that is mind altering will always lead us back to the substance that was our drug of choice. And by the way, and at the end of the day, alcohol is a drug. The base ingredient of alcohol is ethanol, and ethanol is a drug. So addicts are alcoholics and alcoholics are addicts. And then when those naysayers want to do that whole exercise with me, I'm not dying on that health. Go ahead and you do some manageable marijuana smoking. And when you're four bottles of wine deep again, I'll be waiting for you with open arms because we don't shoot our wounded.

Parenting Boundaries And Being Realistic

Steve Coughran 10:28

Yeah. I mean, what about with your kids? Is there is there something that you would prefer them to do? I know you you would prefer them not to do anything, obviously.

Speaker 1 10:40

Right. That that's what I prefer.

Steve Coughran 10:42

Or is it just it's just straight up abstinence?

Speaker 1 10:46

I mean, that's how I prefer them to do nothing. Do I think that's how it's gonna be? No, because I'm a realistic person. Uh is it possible? It's possible because they've had enough fixed exposure and they're they have Christ and they have Nicole. It's possible they will abstain throughout their life, but I but I'm not going to go running at them to have their life be that way and then push them towards it. I want them to make good choices. The legal drinking age is 21. I want that honored and I expect that it will be in our home. Um, there's no drug use I have any tolerance, there's no drug use of any sort I have tolerance for. I I don't support them in any of their any use of marijuana or anything else, and they know that. And that's something that's a consistent conversation for us. And you know this as well. They get a lot of exposure to the pitfalls of all this through where God has called me for my work to store.

Steve Coughran 11:42

Yeah, absolutely.

Detox Reality And Why It’s Dangerous

Steve Coughran 11:43

I mean, I I think that's huge. That's a huge influence on them. Do you think alcoholism is harder to overcome compared to other types of drugs like meth or heroin, etc.? Or is it hard to say? It really depends on the person.

Speaker 1 11:59

I think it's case by case for sure, Steve. I think, you know, the the acute and the subacute detox from alcohol is violent. Uh, the acute and the subacute detox from opiates and other substances is violent. That's where the necessity for intervention medical services is for restore. That we have a great medical director and we're able to help people in that capacity. So I think these are equal opportunists as far as substances are concerned. And I think it just I think all of it is the devil's handiwork, and I don't think any of it leaves anything productive or good. I really don't look down my nose at someone who has a drink, someone who just dabbles, but I just think things are so dangerous, and I think alcohol can be so detrimental, and I just think there's so much beauty in the world and in life, and it's there's so much going on already. Like, what more do any of us really need? But that's a that's probably a whole other episode for you and I. Um, and it makes me sad because people feel empty and they feel isolated and they feel disconnected and they feel far from the Lord, and they try to fill in that blank with a drink or a drug, and it never makes things better, it only makes things worse.

Social Pressure And Listener Feedback

Steve Coughran 13:16

Yeah, I absolutely agree. And I think like if you're listening to this and you feel that pressure, that urge when you go out with your friends to drink. I I know from personal experience there's a lot of people, perhaps in your friend group, they may drink, but they don't want to drink, they just want to hang out or go on a walk or just talk. And but they there's just like this social pressure. And I know for me, when I stopped drinking, I felt great. And I would go out sometimes with people that would drink still, but at the end of the day, it's like I would wake up early the next day, I'd be hitting the gym, I'd be going for a run, and they'd be sleeping until 10, feeling terrible. And I I was always so grateful that I was able to just like get past that and see the other side and open my eyes to a different way of living. And I know everybody has their own challenges, and alcohol may be a challenge for you, but I just I think there's so much beauty, like you mentioned, Steven, with being sober. I think there's so many benefits, and the upside is definitely far greater than anything you're gonna get out of a drug like alcohol.

Speaker 1 14:22

A thousand percent. Could not agree with you more, brother.

Steve Coughran 14:24

So I mean, this is a good episode, and I'm glad to see this trend here. And you know, we'll we'll continue to monitor it as time goes on, and perhaps we'll we'll follow up on this. But it's it's just uh it's a positive trend to be seeing out there in the world. It makes me feel much more encouraged, as I'm sure the same thing is true for you, Steven. So we want to hear from you. What do you see? Like, are you seeing the the same thing among yourself? Like, are you drinking less? Uh, are your friends and family drinking less? When you go out, what are you observing? We'd love to hear your feedback. You can always email us at hello at restore detoxcenters.com.

Speaker 1 15:00

Steve, thank you so much. If you are out there listening, we love you. We are for you, we want to hear from you. Everyone have a safe and sober day.