The Growing Popularity of Kava Drinks Among Young Adults

Kava drinks are trending among young adults because they offer a way to socialize without alcohol. As more young people cut back on drinking, kava bars and ready-to-drink kava beverages have stepped in to fill that social gap, offering a calming, ceremonial alternative without the hangover. But the surge also comes with safety concerns that are worth understanding before you join in.

Why Young Adults Are Choosing Kava Over Alcohol

The shift toward kava is tied to a broader generational move away from drinking. Gen Z is drinking an average of 20% less than millennials, a pattern researchers link to growing up watching alcohol's effects play out in older generations. Drinks with kava are now among the top trends driving change in the functional beverage space, fueled by online conversation around sobriety and ingredient curiosity.

Kava bars give this generation what alcohol-centered venues do not. They offer a social venue with atmosphere, ritual, and a functional drink, where alcohol is absent and no one questions your choice to skip it. For someone trying to cut back on drinking, having a space built around that choice removes a lot of social pressure. Industry data shows kava bar revenue has doubled since 2024, driven largely by younger demographics prioritizing mental health.

The Risks Behind the Trend

A drink being popular does not mean it is safe, and kava's recent growth has come with a documented rise in health complications. Calls to poison control centers related to kava rose 383% between 2011 and 2025, and a third of kava-related calls in 2025 involved severe health problems. Eight deaths have been linked to kava during that period.

Several factors explain why kava can be riskier than its wellness branding suggests, starting with how unregulated the market is. Kava is sold as an herbal supplement and is not federally regulated.

Potency is inconsistent: While other countries cap kava drinks at 250 mg of kavalactones, products sold in the U.S. can be two to ten times more potent than traditional kava beverages.

The FDA has issued repeated warnings: It warned in 2002 that kava can cause severe liver damage, in some cases serious enough to require a transplant, and followed up in 2020 with a warning that kava is not safe as a recreational or relaxation drink.

Kratom is often hiding in the blend: Commercial drinks combining kava and kratom are commonly marketed as healthy alcohol alternatives and sold near college campuses, raising safety concerns because kratom has opioid-like effects. About 30% of kava-related poison control calls also involve kratom, and combining the two substances is linked to more serious outcomes, including seizures and tremors. If you pick up a kava drink without checking the label, you may be consuming far more than kava.

What This Means If You're Considering Kava

Reaching for kava instead of alcohol can reflect a genuine effort to drink less and protect your health. That instinct is worth holding onto. But swapping one substance for another does not address why you were reaching for something in the first place, whether that is stress, social anxiety, or a habit built around needing a drink in your hand to relax. Kava does not threaten physical sobriety the way alcohol does, but it can quietly undermine the internal work that determines whether recovery holds long-term, and recovery experts have raised similar concerns about its growing popularity.

If you notice that you cannot get through a social situation, a stressful week, or even a quiet evening without kava, kratom, or alcohol, that pattern is worth examining with someone qualified to help. Reliance on a substance to regulate your mood, even one marketed as a wellness product, can be the early stage of a larger problem. For anyone already in treatment or maintaining sobriety, kava carries hidden risks for people already in recovery that go beyond what casual users typically face.

Find Support Beyond the Trend

At SOBA Recovery, we understand that substance use does not always look like what people expect, and the line between a wellness trend and a dependency can blur quickly. Our team offers confidential, evidence-based support for anyone questioning their relationship with kava, kratom, alcohol, or any other substance. Reach out to SOBA Recovery today to talk through what you are experiencing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is kava actually safer than alcohol?

It does not cause the same impairment or hangover as alcohol, but it is not risk-free. Kava has been linked to liver damage, and the FDA has warned it is not safe for recreational use.

Why are kava and kratom often sold together?

Many brands blend the two and market them as relaxation drinks, often sold near college campuses. Combining them raises the risk of seizures and tremors, so it is worth checking the label.

Can you become addicted to kava?

Kava is not considered physically addictive like alcohol or opioids, but psychological dependence is possible. Kratom, which is often mixed in, does carry addictive potential.

How much kava is considered a safe amount?

There is no regulated safe dosage in the U.S. Some countries cap kavalactone content, but American products can be several times stronger with no standard labeling.

When should I be concerned about my kava or kratom use?

If you need it to get through everyday stress or social situations, or you are using more and hiding it, that pattern is worth discussing with a professional.