You’ve read that right. Americans in California believe that 2:29 p.m. is an acceptable time to have the day’s first drink.
This is according to a new survey conducted by Zinnia Health, a behavioral health treatment network based in California, which assists men and women suffering from substance abuse and addiction.
The survey involving 3,000 people to answer this question concluded the following results:
- 1-in-3 consider weekends and holidays a good excuse to drink earlier.
- 60% say they would not drink alone before 5pm.
- Almost half would confront a loved on if they noticed regular day drinking.
“While the idea of daytime drinking may be romanticized by the phrase ‘It’s five o’clock somewhere,’ we have to recognize the potential dangers and consequences associated with this practice,” says Rebecca Hill of Zinnia Health. “Regularly consuming alcohol before 5 pm can be a slippery slope towards unhealthy drinking habits and alcohol dependence. The normalization of daytime drinking in social contexts may make it more challenging for those struggling with alcohol abuse to seek help, as they may feel that their behavior is socially acceptable. It is crucial for people to be mindful of their drinking habits and to seek support if they find themselves regularly reaching for a drink before 5pm.”
Another finding is that participants who partake in earlier drinking are more likely to be unconcerned about being judged by others.
Zinnia Health digs deeper into what influences daytime drinking habits, and it becomes evident that special occasions and social contexts have something to do with these results. According to the data, 38% of respondents view the weekends and holidays as a “judgment-free zone” to start drinking earlier in the day as opposed to midweek.