Current alcohol consumption in the United States is at which point compared with most other historical periods?

• A. All-time high
• B. All-time low
• C. A fairly high point compared with most other periods
• D. A fairly low point compared with most other periods

Answer: (D)

Long-run trends show that current alcohol use in the United States is relatively low when viewed against the full sweep of history. In the 19th century, per‑person alcohol consumption was much higher due to widespread availability and drinking patterns. It then dropped sharply during Prohibition in the 1920s and remained below those earlier peak levels for many decades. Today, even with many people drinking, total consumption per person is lower than in most historical periods, so current levels are a fairly low point by historical standards.