Honestly, with the current meta, people are spending less and less potions.
First we had the upgrade the weapon at all costs, meaning people would kill stronger monsters faster, therefore not letting the monsters attack so often, meaning taking less damage.
Then we had the introduction of HaTs and EDIs later on, I don’t think HaTs were the problem, after the matchmaking, but before it would burn potions if you had to solo and get perfect fights to kill 8 stars Zinogre alone, mistakes meant potions and time.
EDI does require a party to kill or a frame perfect with the perfect build to solo. Any attack from elder dragon will hurt you badly.
BUT! The problem is: driftsmelt mechanic.
It will require you to upgrade some equipment to grade 8, meaning if you are in the very late game, min-maxing the build, you will at some point get 700+ defense. With this much defense, you will tank some 8 stars or even 9 stars attack while griding and farming. Using less and less potions.
I aggree that during events, specially the ones like the night lumu one, people will end up using a lot of potions since they will end up hunting for longer period of times, but besides that I don’t see such a problem with potions, really.
One you reach the maxxed weapon and armors at g8+, you will be quite tanky and very powerful to kill the monster fast enough before he attacks you.