Embargoed for release until 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday 21 September 2026
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Below please find summaries of new articles that will be published in the next issue of Annals of Internal Medicine . The summaries are not intended to substitute for the full articles as a source of information. This information is under strict embargo and by taking it into possession, media representatives are committing to the terms of the embargo not only on their own behalf, but also on behalf of the organization they represent.
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1. Gen Z and Millennials drove recent drop in alcohol use, study shows
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-01824
URL goes live when the embargo lifts
A national cross-sectional study found that alcohol consumption in the United States fell modestly in 2024 after reaching elevated levels during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers found declines in both overall alcohol use and heavy drinking compared with 2022, with some of the largest reductions seen among younger adults and men. However, alcohol use remains at or above pre-pandemic levels in many groups, particularly among older adults. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine .
Researchers from Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California and Thomas Jefferson University analyzed nationally representative survey data from 114,352 U.S. adults who participated in the National Health Interview Survey between 2018 and 2024. They examined trends in any alcohol use and heavy drinking, defined using National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism criteria. Compared with 2022, the prevalence of both overall and heavy alcohol use declined in 2024. Any alcohol use decreased particularly among the Gen Z population, and Millennials experienced the greatest reductions in heavy use. Despite these improvements, drinking rates generally remained higher than they were before the pandemic in 2018, with adults ages 50 to 64 showing continued increases in both overall and heavy alcohol use over the study period. The authors conclude that while the findings suggest a national shift toward lower alcohol consumption, targeted efforts may still be needed for women and older adults who have not experienced the same degree of decline.
Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Gabby Macrina at gmacrina@acponline.org. To contact corresponding author Brian P. Lee, MD, MAS, please email Laura Nuño at laura.nuno@med.usc.edu.
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2. New VA/DoD guideline recommends varenicline and combination nicotine replacement therapy as preferred treatments for tobacco use
Abstract: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-01499
Editorial: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-03290
Summary for Patients: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-26-01499-PS
A new clinical practice guideline from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) provides recommendations for tobacco use treatment, as tobacco and nicotine use among veterans and members of the military causes physical and mental health effects, and reduces force readiness. The guideline recommends varenicline or combination nicotine replacement therapy for cessation and emphasizes the safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapy for patients with mental health conditions. A synopsis is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
VA and DoD convened a multidisciplinary panel to review research published between 2014 and 2024 and develop an updated clinical practice guideline for tobacco use treatment. The resulting guideline includes 32 recommendations covering smoking cessation medications, counseling approaches, and treatment strategies for adults who use a variety of tobacco and nicotine products. Key recommendations include motivational interviewing to increase engagement in treatment, using varenicline or combination nicotine replacement therapy to increase abstinence, immediate retreatment for individuals who relapse, and offering treatment even to adults who are not yet ready to quit. The guideline concludes that evidence-based medications and counseling remain the most effective tools for tobacco and nicotine cessation.
Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Gabby Macrina at gmacrina@acponline.org. To contact corresponding author James L. Sall, PhD, FNP-BC, please email James.Sall@va.gov.
Annals of Internal Medicine
News article
People
Alcohol Use Between 2018 and 2024: A National Cross-Sectional Study
22-Sep-2026