Risk Factors for Alcohol Use in the United States, 1947–2005

ABSTRACT

National public opinion polls that were conducted from 1947 to 2005 found that Americans' reported alcohol consumption remained fairly constant. Although alcohol use has remained consistent, the findings reveal that consumption levels vary by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The results also show an increase in the number of reported problems within families that are due to excessive alcohol consumption. This article examines the differences in alcohol consumption levels related to these various demographic factors and explores the impact of alcohol use among families and implications for social work practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol consumption
• age
• gender
• race-ethnicity
• socioeconomic status
• families

Notes

We wish to thank Laura McLaughlin, Brian Roper, and Susan Killion for their valuable contributions to this paper, and the Gallup organization for their permission to use their data.

^aThe data are based on telephone interviews with randomly selected national samples on the dates provided.

^aThe findings are based on the Gallup Youth Survey, aggregated data from telephone interviews with 1,503 teenagers, aged 13–17, conducted in October 1999, October 2000, and May 2001.

^aThe data are reported on randomly selected national samples on the dates provided.

^aThe figures may not total 100% because of rounding.