America seesawing between sobriety and boozing it up, say experts
For years, the United States has witnessed a rollercoaster ride of drinking trends, with some years seeing people rejecting excessive drinking and others embracing it. According to experts, the tide seems to be constantly shifting, with the current signs pointing towards a resurgence in sobriety and low-alcohol culture.
The waves of sobriety started to crash onto American shores around 2012, when Dry January, a global initiative to encourage people to give up booze for a month, started to gain popularity. This movement was picked up by many, who were finding themselves feeling unhealthy, tired, and unable to cope with daily stress.
The dry periods were interspersed with times of frenetic partying, such as the 1980s and 1990s, in which excessive drinking was glamorized by pop culture and fueled by the rise of heavy metal music, clubbing, and imported spring break trips.
Though there were subsequent periods of moderation, including the 2000s, the party-hard culture continued to influence how Americans viewed and consumed alcohol. Today, the pendulum is swinging back in the direction of sobriety, with many looking for healthier, more mindful ways to handle their drink.
