Why the Next Generation Isn’t Buzzed | Ericka Andersen

From Problematic Women by The Daily Signal

January 31, 2026 · 37 min

About this episode

Ericka Andersen discusses the trend of young adults moving away from alcohol and shares her personal journey towards sobriety.

“Dry January” is upon us—the annual reset when people swear off alcohol for a month, whether for health, discipline, curiosity, or recovery. While some are opting to detox from alcohol during the month of January, something bigger is happening beneath the surface: an entire generation is quietly walking away from alcohol altogether. A 2025 Gallup poll found that only 50% of young adults ages 18-34, reported they drink—down from 72% two decades prior. And yet, alcohol still sits at the center of modern social life—networking events, happy hours, girls’ nights out, and dating culture. If you don’t drink, you’re expected to explain yourself. In a culture that normalizes constant consumption, slipping into sipping habitually can be like a frog in slowly boiling water; you don’t notice the danger until alcohol starts stealing your clarity, your relationships, your peace, and eventually your purpose. This week’s Problematic Women, Ericka Andersen, knows this song and dance all too well. She joins this week’s episode to make the case for sobriety in a culture so hellbent against it. Andersen, the author of “Freely Sober: Rethinking Alcohol Through the Lens of Faith,” shares the story of…

People in this episode

Hosts: Elise McCue, Virginia Allen

Guest: Ericka Andersen

Topics covered

Dry January
alcohol consumption
sobriety
young adults
cultural trends

Keywords

sober
faith
health
relationships
statistics

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Freely Sober

Books & works: Problematic Women, Freely Sober: Rethinking Alcohol Through the Lens of Faith, Top News in 10