"The Rise of Sober Curiosity Among Gen Z: Navigating Alcohol in a Changing Economy"

Gen Z and young adults are drinking less due to a variety of factors including economic constraints, increased awareness of substance abuse and mental health issues, and a shift towards non-alcoholic beverages. The high cost of going out, inflation, and a trend towards introversion are contributing to a decline in alcohol consumption, with more young adults choosing to stay in and drink or refrain from imbibing altogether. Factors such as increased marijuana consumption, awareness of the health effects of alcohol, and a more image-conscious generation are also influencing this shift, leading to what some are calling a new era of abstinence driven by economic and sociopolitical issues.