Youth Drinking Trends
Fad Report: Many Young People Reduce Alcohol, But Energy Drink Mixing Grows
Nearly four in ten Spanish young people have cut back on alcohol, and two in ten have stopped drinking altogether, according to a new report by Fad Juventud. The study, titled *Ocio y consumo de alcohol: Voces de la juventud*, surveyed people aged 15 to 29 and found that 38.6% have reduced their intake in the past year, while 22.1% have quit entirely.
But the picture is not all positive. The same report warns of a growing habit among young partygoers: mixing alcohol with energy drinks to stay awake longer. Experts say this combination is more dangerous than drinking alone — and harder to detect.
A Generation Quietly Turning Away From Alcohol
The numbers mark a real cultural shift. Fad Juventud found that 55.4% of young people drank alcohol in the last 30 days — still a majority, but down from previous years. Analysts at the Centro Reina Sofía sobre Adolescencia y Juventud point to two main drivers: growing health awareness and simple economics. With rising costs and precarious jobs, many young people can no longer afford a night out drinking.
Social media is also playing a role. The so-called "sober curious" movement — driven by Gen Z influencers on TikTok and Instagram promoting alcohol-free lifestyles — is cited in the report as a key reason young people are stepping back. Fear of being filmed drunk and a stronger focus on mental health are also pushing the trend, according to El País.
Energy Drink Mixing Creates "Wide-Awake Drunks"
While many are drinking less, a dangerous habit is growing among those who still go out. According to Fad Juventud, 31% of young men and 22% of young women regularly mix alcohol with energy drinks. The goal, for 60% of those who do it, is to "stay awake and party longer." Another 15% say they simply like the taste.
The problem is chemical. Alcohol is a depressant — it makes you tired and slows you down. Energy drinks contain high doses of caffeine and taurine, which block that sleepy feeling. "This creates 'wide-awake drunks' who are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like driving or unprotected sex," said Dr. Rodrigo Córdoba, an alcohol expert, according to El País. In short: people feel sober when they are not.
First Drink Still Comes Before Age 14
Despite all the positive trends, one number has barely moved. The average age at which young Spaniards first try alcohol remains around 13.9 years, according to data from the Spanish Observatory on Drugs and Addictions (OEDA). That is well below the legal drinking age of 18. RTVE noted that this figure has stayed stubbornly flat even as overall consumption among older teens and young adults drops.
Fad Juventud director Beatriz Martín Padura said the overall data showed progress but warned against complacency. "Party culture remains anchored in alcohol," she said, according to RTVE. "The mix with energy drinks is particularly worrying because it allows young people to stay in the game longer without realizing their level of intoxication."
New Alcohol Law Could Target Energy Drink Sales
The report lands as Spain's government prepares a major new law on alcohol. The Ministry of Health, led by Minister Mónica García, is drafting the *Anteproyecto de Ley de Prevención del Consumo de Alcohol de Menores*. The Fad study gives lawmakers fresh data to work with. One likely outcome: a ban on promotions that bundle alcohol with energy drinks in bars and clubs.
The beverage industry is pushing back. Groups like Espirituosos España argue that education — not stricter laws — is already working, pointing to the 22% of young people who have quit drinking as proof, according to EFE. But public health experts say the real test will come when parliament debates the law. With one in three young drinkers mixing stimulants into their night out, they argue the risk is too high to ignore.
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