December 11, 2019: Forty-seven percent (47%) of American adults consider alcohol to be either an extremely serious (18%) or very serious (29%) societal problem.^[1]

For 36% of Americans, the problem strikes close to home. They say that drinking has caused problems in their family. That number has been fairly consistent in the 21st century.^[1]

However, it was much lower in earlier times. At the end of World War II, just 15% said alcohol had caused problems in their family. And, in 1974, just 12% expressed that view. It wasn’t until 1999 that the number seeing drinking as a problem in their family reached 30%.^[1]

It is impossible to know how much of this growth is due to an actual increase in problems, a growing willingness to recognize and admit the problem, or shifting societal norms.

Yesterday’s Number of the Day noted that 65% of Americans consume alcohol at least occasionally. Of that group, 18% sometimes drink more than they should.

Here is a chart from Gallup showing this data going back to the middle of last century:^[1]

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Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology. Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.

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