Most Americans Drink Responsibly Under Stay-At-Home Orders

For Immediate Release
Contact: Sam Nathews,
[email protected] / (202) 251-5144

ARLINGTON, VA  –  The COVID-19 pandemic has not increased drinking for most Americans adults.  More than 6 in 10 Americans are drinking about the same or less alcohol (beer, wine, cocktails, spirits) since stay-at-home orders were implemented.

Responsibility.org commissioned the survey to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting American adults’ drinking habits.  The results released today (Tuesday) show that 35% of Americans are drinking about the same despite stay-at-home orders and 28% are drinking less (including 11% who have stopped drinking entirely).  Not being able to go out and bars and restaurants being closed are the top two reasons for drinking less (38% and 33%, respectively).

Most Americans (86%) are confident they drink responsibly, with close to half (45%) reporting extreme confidence (rating of “10” on a 0-10 scale).

COVID-19 has not increased drinking during working hours for 84% of Americans.  33% never drink during working hours, 21% are drinking less or have stopped drinking, and 30% are drinking the same amount.

Nearly all Americans (94%) living with children say it is important to talk to children about the dangers of underage drinking.  About half of those living with children (48%) think it is even more important to talk about underage drinking now than before the pandemic.

The number of Americans who reported drinking any alcohol in the last 30 days increased from 71% to 79% compared to the same time last year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has upended many Americans’ lives and habits, but this survey shows most Americans are choosing to drink responsibly despite the stress of these unprecedented times.  Adults who choose to drink should always do so responsibly, never drive drunk or impaired, and it is especially important for parents to model responsible decision-making in front of children,” said Chris Swonger, president and CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and Responsibility.org.

For more resources on alcohol responsibility, please visit:

• Responsibility.org’s Virtual Bar
• Responsibility.org’s Ask Listen Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix
• Responsibility.org’s Resources during COVID-19 Pandemic
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health

 

Survey Methodology

The online survey of 1,000 American adults 18 years of age and older was conducted May 4-5, 2020 by APCO Insight, a global opinion research firm. The overall sample reflects national representation on key demographic measures according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The confidence interval for the overall survey sample is ± 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

For more information, please visit www.responsibility.org.

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About Responsibility.org

Responsibility.org is a national not-for-profit that aims to eliminate drunk driving and work with others to end all impaired driving, eliminate underage drinking, and empowers adults to make a lifetime of responsible alcohol choices as part of a balanced lifestyle. Responsibility.org is funded by the following distillers: Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; Beam Suntory Inc.; Brown-Forman; DIAGEO; Edrington, Mast-Jägermeister US, Inc.; Moët Hennessy USA; and Pernod Ricard USA. For 29 years, Responsibility.org has transformed countless lives through programs that bring individuals, families, and communities together to inspire a lifetime of responsible alcohol choices. To learn more, please visit Responsibility.org.