SCRANTON — When Anthony Arnoni and his friends go out for drinks and dinner, they don’t worry about a designated driver.
Instead, the friends downloaded a ride sharing app on their smart phones, which will allow them to order up a ride home. Uber and Lyft are the two most often used apps and both advertise safe, vetted drivers to get customers home safely.
But, Arnoni, 32, of Olyphant, points out the rides aren’t cheap, which is a concern, particularly in a sluggish economy. So, often it’s less expensive to invite friends over for drinks and dinners.
Even then, revelers often choose a ride-sharing service to get home, rather than risk a DUI.
Ride sharing apps make it easier and safer to drink alcohol, which sometimes includes a night of overdoing it, Arnoni said. But, among his friends, this isn’t generally the case.
Arnoni, a musician, also plays in local bars and dinner clubs.
When inviting someone out to hear him, he encourages them to use Uber to get home, so they can stay longer and relax for an evening out, without worrying about getting cited for driving under the influence, or DUI.
Part of this, he said, is because of DUI checkpoints and other enforcement tools, which increase the likelihood of being stopped and cited.
DUIs down
DUI arrests are trending down in Pennsylvania. Statewide police statistics show that there were 42,409 DUI arrests in 2022, a decrease from 44,531 in 2021.
Research is mixed as to what caused the reduction, but Uber, in partnership with Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, says the ride sharing app has reduced fatalities and drunken driving.
Uber announced in July a partnership with the MADD network in an effort to fight against impaired driving. Data indicates Uber helped reduce U.S. traffic fatalities by about 5% and cut alcohol-related traffic deaths by about 6% in 2019.
“Uber’s dedication to safety aligns seamlessly with MADD’s mission, and its substantial investment will fuel innovative initiatives aimed at preventing tragedies on our roads,” said MADD CEO Stacey D. Stewart. “By combining our resources and expertise, we can make an enormous impact in preventing impaired driving and saving lives. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to drive change.”
But other elements likely play into the reduction in DUIs in the area and across the country.
For example, during the COVID pandemic, home delivery of alcohol spiked.
Consumers are now more comfortable ordering alcohol online and having it delivered to their homes, rather than drinking at bars, taking to the roads and risking a citation.
In a study conducted by Door Dash, 60% of those questioned about online habits reported buying more alcohol in 2023 online than in 2022. That same study indicated that about 70% of consumers reported ordering alcohol online at least monthly.
Additionally, in September, ready-to-drink canned cocktails became available for purchase at local grocery and convenience stores, in addition to other malt beverages.
The change made it possible for consumers to purchase a favorite mixed drink and simply take it home to enjoy later.
Difficult measure
Putting together accurate statistics in regard to alcohol consumption is difficult, because who is drinking and how much is not easily trackable.
But, Nicholas Colangelo, PhD, who oversaw recovery treatment facilities for over four decades, including Marworth and Clearbrook, said he looks at one number as a key indicator of alcohol use in the state and in the country — sales.
Overall, alcohol sales for Pennsylvania have been increasing over the past few years. The Liquor Control Board reported $3.15 billion in total sales in 2023. In 2021-2022, the board reported $2.83 billion in total sales.
“No one has accurate information as to who is drinking how much,” he said. “But, if you look at sales it has gone up. Sales numbers are accurate.”
Research numbers, he said, are less accurate.
For example during the pandemic, it was difficult to keep accurate numbers when it came to alcohol and drug use.
“What happened to a drug dealer during COVID?” he said.
Colangelo has even heard reports of young people working from home while drinking.
“They could get up and walk away from their screen. They were drinking and using drugs during the workday,” he said. “But, statistically, I don’t think anyone has their arms around that at all.”
But Colangelo, who has been in 12-step recovery for over 50 years, said one thing he does know is that the need for treatment has consistently grown throughout that time. The number of AA meetings in the Wyoming Valley has grown exponentially during that time, with several meetings available every day.
In the Hazleton area, in 1985, for example, there were two meetings a week, on Tuesday and Saturday evenings. Now there are over 30 weekly meetings.
Similarly, he said, people in need of treatment often have to wait for a bed to become available and new recovery centers continue to open across the state and country.
Across the generations
When it comes to drinking alcohol, it seems that age matters.
For example, if you are a Gen Z, were born between 1997 and 2012, you are likely consuming less alcohol than the Millennial generation, born between 1981 and 1996, according to a 2023 Nielson study.
The study suggests several reasons for the Gen Z generation tendency to abstain, including a focus on nutrition, focus on physical and mental health, and preference for non-alcoholic drinks.
In addition, the Gen Z generation is more likely to be committed to responsible budgeting and saving money, the study said.
The study indicated that in 2023, 45% of Gen Z, aged 21 and older, had not consumed alcohol, a 2% decrease from 47% in 2022. This percentage is comparatively higher than the percentage of other generations who did not drink alcoholic beverages, which ranged from 32 to 36%.
Older people now seemingly have a reason to abstain from drinking.
For many years, older people were encouraged to indulge in one drink a day, as a means of relaxing and improving heart health. But, that changed.
A study published in August by the American Medical Associated indicated that even moderate drinking raised disease-related mortality in older adults, without any measurable benefit.
And nearly half of adult Americans seem to agree with the study.
According to a Gallup poll released last month, nearly half of Americans say they believe that having one or two drinks a day is bad for your health. That’s the highest percentage yet recorded by the survey, which has been conducted 10 times since 2001.
In the meantime, the nature of alcohol use is changing with the times.
Just as more people are working from home, ordering groceries online and using their smartphone frequently, people are ordering alcohol online, using an app to get home from drinking establishments and buying cocktails at a convenience store.