[amonroe0805]

I think the obvious reason for this is that alcohol is an order of magnitude more fun when you're socializing with people in person, and people just do so much less of that now than even just before covid.

Instead, you're seeing people turn to "quiet night at home" types of recreational drugs.

For me, I'd rather have more in-person social time and a few beers, whatever the health effects may be. The benefits of social time always felt well-worth it.