Nearly Half of Americans Have Tried to Quit Alcohol

A new survey by Elite Home Detox reveals the strategies, challenges, and motivations behind alcohol quit attempts across the U.S.

Quitting alcohol is never simple. In the U.S., more than 28 million people live with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) — a medical condition that makes it difficult to control drinking despite serious social, professional, or health consequences [1]. Yet many Americans do manage to quit, often relying on a combination of personal determination, social support, and practical strategies.

To understand what drives successful sobriety, Elite Home Detox surveyed Americans about their experiences with quitting alcohol. The study explores the full journey — from the motivations that sparked the decision to stop, to the challenges encountered along the way, and the approaches that help people stay alcohol-free.

Quitting Alcohol Isn’t Easy: A Third of Americans Who Try Eventually Relapse

The decision to put down the glass is never easy, and the journey to sobriety reveals just how complex our relationship with alcohol can be. Nearly half of Americans (44%) have tried quitting alcohol. Of those who tried, roughly one in three returned to drinking.



• Men are more likely than women to try quitting alcohol, with 53% of men who have tried to become sober at least once in their life, compared to 36% of women.
• Women are more likely to avoid alcohol entirely, with 30% never having drunk compared to 15% of men. These numbers suggest men engage more actively in quitting, while women lean more toward prevention by abstaining from alcohol altogether.
• Midlife Americans are driving today’s quit trend, with 63% having attempted to quit.

Geography tells its own story. Across U.S. cities, the path from trying to quit to staying sober is far from uniform.

• Las Vegas stands out, with 39% of residents maintaining sobriety, followed by San Antonio (35%) and Los Angeles (33%).
• The largest shares of people who quit drinking but later resumed live in Austin (39%), Seattle (35%), and San Diego (27%).
• The highest shares of Americans who have never consumed alcohol are found in Houston (40%), New Orleans (36%), and Charlotte (32%).

Stress, Loneliness, and the Easy Pour: Why Relapse Happens

For many Americans who have tried quitting, staying sober can be just as challenging as quitting in the first place. Relapse is most commonly driven by stress and emotional challenges, with more than a quarter of respondents citing these as a key factor.Social situations, easy access to alcohol, and feelings of loneliness or isolation also play significant roles, highlighting the importance of both environment and emotional well-being in maintaining sobriety.

A smaller share of individuals point to health issues(7%), physical dependence (7%), or lack of professional support (5%) as contributing factors. Together, these findings illustrate that relapse often emerges from a combination of psychological, social, and situational pressures rather than a single cause.

• Men report slightly lower stress-related relapse (25%) but are more affected by easy access to alcohol (13%).
• Women experience higher stress-related relapse (31%) and are more likely to relapse due to loneliness (16%).
• Residents of Indianapolis (20%), Austin, Washington DC, and Seattle (all 14%) most often cite insufficient support as a reason for returning to drinking.
• Loneliness is most often cited as a key factor in relapse in Las Vegas (40%), Phoenix (33%), and Dallas (30%).

The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical or addiction treatment advice. If you are struggling with alcohol use or dependence, it’s important to consult a licensed healthcare or addiction specialist for professional guidance.

Do not rely on AI tools, online content, or self-diagnosis in place of qualified medical or therapeutic care. If you or someone you know is experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms or an alcohol-related emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.

Money, Mindset, and Family: Why Americans Are Quitting Alcohol

For many Americans, the journey to sobriety doesn’t start with a dramatic health scare or a major life change—it often begins with something much simpler: money. The rising costs of drinking have made financial savings the number one motivator to quit, but that’s only part of the story. From wanting to set a better example for loved ones to seeking greater focus and productivity, people across all ages and backgrounds are rethinking their relationship with alcohol.

Other reasons include the wish to improve fitness (19%), witnessing a loved one struggle with alcohol (18%), a health scare or medical advice (17%), medication that cannot be combined with alcohol (14%), or to avoid post-drinking anxiety (13%). A small share (6%) reported no primary reason for quitting.

Age, gender, and geography show nuances for motivations:

• Young adults (27%) are most likely to quit drinking to stay productive, while middle-aged Americans between 35 and 54 more often cite a health or medical scare as their main reason (39%).
• Men (24%) are more likely to quit drinking out of concern for how much they consume, while women more often mention setting a positive example (23%) or losing interest in alcohol altogether (26%).
• San Diego (38%), and Phoenix (26%), and Boston (33%) lead for people quitting out of concern for alcohol intake, surpassing the 22% national average.
• Dallas (30%), and Philadelphia (29%), and Houston (25%) top the list for those who quit drinking after a health scare.

Open responses from individuals reveal deeply personal reasons for quitting alcohol. Many participants describe a single catalyst — a health scare, pregnancy, DUI, or financial or family crisis — that prompted lasting change. For others, it’s a slower realization: the desire to feel physically stronger, repair relationships, or simply regain control over their lives.

The DIY Sobriety Movement: Most Americans Quit Without Therapy or Meds

Quitting alcohol isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. For some, it’s a matter of pure willpower. For others, it’s about reshaping daily life or finding new outlets to replace old habits. But one thing stands out: While therapy, medication, and formal treatment are available, fewer than 15% of Americans see them as their primary path to sobriety. Instead, most people quit by changing their routines, embracing new passions, or relying on sheer determination.

Individual answers reveal that personal, social, and spiritual support are central to helping Americans stay sober. Many respondents emphasized the role of a strong mindset, witnessing the effects of alcoholism on loved ones, or rediscovering strength through faith—highlighting the deeply personal nature of their journeys.

• Social media accountability — sharing progress online to stay sober — is most common in Seattle (30%), Detroit (21%), and Los Angeles (20%).
• Top cities using therapy or counselling to stay sober: San Diego (38%), Memphis (23%), New York (19%).
• Medical supervision for detox, whether in-home or in a clinic, is most frequently cited in New York (18%), Charlotte (15%), and Seattle (14%).

Breaking the Bottle: Americans Bet on New Friends, Hobbies, and Self-Control

Maintaining sobriety often relies on intentional lifestyle choices — and Americans overwhelmingly turn to social and behavioral strategies to stay alcohol-free. The most common approaches include avoiding bars and alcohol-serving venues, changing social circles, and developing new hobbies or sports as healthier outlets.

In contrast, structured or professional support such as medication (14%), seeking professional in-home support (13%), or going to rehab clinics (11%) is used less frequently, which may reflect limited access to resources or a preference for self-directed approaches.

Among open-ended responses, many Americans emphasized faith and spirituality as central to their sobriety journey — describing prayer, divine intervention, or a renewed relationship with God as key motivators. Others cited personal willpower and discipline rather than formal strategies, while a smaller but notable group mentioned substituting alcohol with cannabis as a coping mechanism.

• San Diego (50%), Charlotte (45%), and Houston (44%) stand out as the cities where people most often change their social circles to stay sober.
• Residents of New York (27%), Philadelphia (25%), and Boston (24%) are the most likely to attend therapy or support groups.

Sources:

[1] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States

About the Survey

This nationally representative survey was commissioned by Elite Home Detox and conducted by Censuswide among 2,000 U.S. adults aged 21+ across all 50 states (September 25–26, 2025). The sample was balanced by age, gender, and region to provide a comprehensive snapshot of Americans’ experiences with alcohol sobriety.