Not sure about grabbing that beer? You're not alone. Americans are reaching for alcohol at record lows, according to a new Gallup survey.

The survey, out Aug. 20, found the number of Americans who say they drink alcohol sits at 54% for the second consecutive year − and health concerns appear to be a major factor.

"Fifty-one percent of U.S. adults now believe drinking one or two alcoholic beverages a day is bad for one’s health," the survey results noted. "The figure is essentially unchanged from last year’s record-high 53%."

In 2001, only 27% considered moderate drinking bad for one’s health, according to Gallup.

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[–] 190 points 2 days ago (48 children)

If alcohol came out today, it would be illegal. It kills more people than all drugs combined. It's terrible for you and 10% of drinkers account for 90% of all alcohol sales. I just wish I could stop.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 day ago (1 child)

    Yes alcohol, sugar and automobiles are the big killers that we seem to just accept in an “oh well” kind of way. We came a long way on smoking so I’m optimistic about alcohol. “Record lows” doesn’t impress me as a phrase because I know how high the historic highs actually were 🤣

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  • [–] 1 point 22 hours ago

    Why dont you stop drinking yourself and not outsource your decisions about your body to a brutal police state?

    I am not tirelessly working to ensure you must be forced to drink every day, why would you do the opposite to me?

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  • [–] 24 points 2 days ago (2 children)

    Hollywood needs to stop using it in every fucking scene. Two characters cannot have a conversation with beers to scotch, no cop comes home without cracking open a beer.

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  • [–] 13 points 2 days ago (1 child)

    I've noticed that recently too. I watched "Life in Pieces" recently and it's like every other scene this family is drinking.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 child)

    It's everywhere. Latest season of Reacher has at least 5 scenes per episode of people drinking.

    Someone dies, drink, someone is sad, drink, someone is happy, drink, someone is nervous, drink, two characters developing a relationship, drink. Hollywood writers have no other mechanism to convey emotions.

    Two wealthy people cant have a conversation without pouring from a crystal decanter of scotch....CEO offices have a full bar and people drink all day. Even superheroes are drunks now.

    And of course, every male over 50 is burned out alcoholic in TV and movies. What would happen if alcohol was not allowed on screen like cigarettes?

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  • [–] 2 points 21 hours ago (1 child)

    I only started this season of reacher, but that's ironic given that in the books reacher has no interest in drinking and only ever would buy a beer to be polite or get information out of a bartender and even then he doesn't really drink the beer

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  • [–] 14 points 2 days ago

    It isn't easy at first, but the pivotal moment is merely wanting to stop. You may not believe it yourself, addiction has this way of convincing you that you can't, but it gets easier with time.

    It's been three years or so, but my life has turned around so much it's astounding. Highly recommend believing in yourself, and pushing through the tough days.

    Stay kind to yourself friend

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  • [–] 22 points 2 days ago (2 children)

    I've met a lot of wonderful people through this organization that has helped me immensely:

    https://smartrecovery.org/what-is-smart-recovery

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  • [–] 7 points 2 days ago (1 child)

    I tried SMART meetings. I felt as if the people there had significantly worse trauma and alcoholism than me and it made me feel like since I wasn't as bad as them that I should still be able to keep drinking. When I have stopped drinking in the past, focusing on what's wrong with me doesn't help me focus on the positives and moving forward. Everyone is different though.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 days ago

    I initially got a similar feeling at meetings that others had it significantly worse, but that just made me feel better that I was getting some help before reaching that point. Nobody ever makes me feel that I didn't belong, though. The journey really is different for everyone.

    I prefer SMART to guilt-based programs like AA since it focuses more on progress with a basis in science.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 days ago

    Alcohol never had any sort of attraction to me thankfully. I don't really like having an altered mental state in the first place, and I never found a beer that I liked until I was 23. I'm 45 now and I've been drunk 3 times in my life and each time I was just wishing the effect would wear off. But I do have addictions, just other sorts of things. Wish you luck and strength in your journey.

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