Surge in Solitary Drinking Among Young Adults Raises Public Health Concerns

A recent study from the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University reveals a significant increase in solitary drinking among young adults, particularly women, reaching levels not seen since the late 1970s. The trend has raised alarms among public health experts due to its implications for alcohol-related disorders.

The research, published in the journal *Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research* on July 28, 2025, analyzed data from 12,851 participants aged 19 to 30 from the Monitoring the Future Panel study spanning 1977 to 2022. The study highlights that about 40% of young adults reported drinking alcohol alone at least once in the past year, a behavior that has been increasingly prevalent since the mid-1990s, particularly among young women.

"The trends show that the gap between men and women has narrowed," stated Dr. Megan Patrick, research professor at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research and co-author of the study. This narrowing gap indicates that solitary drinking, often associated with coping mechanisms for negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, is becoming a widespread issue among young women.

Dr. Kasey Creswell, associate professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon and lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of addressing this trend. "Solitary drinking is a strong predictor of alcohol use disorder. Unlike social drinking, solitary drinking is linked to drinking to cope with negative emotions, which in turn predicts heavier drinking and the escalation into problematic alcohol use patterns," Creswell explained.

The findings indicate a critical need for targeted prevention strategies that consider sex-specific risks. With solitary drinking often serving as a coping mechanism for stress or loneliness, the long-term consequences can be severe, leading to a heightened risk of developing more significant alcohol-related problems.

Public health initiatives must pivot to identify and support individuals engaging in solitary drinking, particularly young women where the trend is rising. Monitoring these trends is essential for informing policy decisions and guiding educational campaigns that address not just how much individuals drink, but also the context and reasons behind their drinking behaviors.

In conclusion, the rise in solitary drinking among young adults signals a pressing public health issue that necessitates immediate attention. By understanding and addressing the factors contributing to this trend, public health officials can better allocate resources and create effective interventions to mitigate the risks associated with solitary alcohol use.