Why Not Try Dry January?
12 Days of Hope Series # 4
An interesting thing happened to me this holiday season. I had a late-night Target pickup, and as I exited the parking lot and headed to the highway, I made an honest driving mistake. My Target has one of those go-right-to-go-left situations where you must cross four lanes of fast-moving traffic to get to a U-turn track that curves you in the opposite direction. It was very dark, and as soon as I turned awkwardly into a track, I realized I was going the wrong way with a lineup of cars coming at me.
The car nearest to hitting me head-on turned on its flashing blue lights and allowed me to jump a curb, cross four lanes, and pull to the side of the road facing home. Interestingly, I couldn’t wait for the policeman to ask, “Ma’am, have you been drinking this evening?” A question that, for the many years of my active addiction, made my blood run cold at the prospect of “walking the line.” However, this time, I answered, “No, sir. I haven’t had a drink in 11 years.” So, after checking my documents, telling me to be careful, and agreeing it was dark and there was no sign saying WRONG WAY, the officer wished me a Merry Christmas. As I drove away, sans ticket, all I could think was, it’s great to be sober.
As I sit down to write about the benefits of Dry January, I keep thinking about my incident with the police and how different it could have ended if I were still drinking. Dry January can certainly be a fun opportunity to test one’s resolve with a group of friends or donate money saved to charity. However, attempting short-term abstinence can also be an excellent way to determine if you have a drinking problem. So I ask you, why not try Dry January? If you start today, you only have 26 days left!
What is Dry January?
Dry January started as a public health campaign by the British charity Alcohol Change UK. Their slogan was, “Ditch the hangover, reduce the waistline, and save some serious money by giving up alcohol for 31 days.” Dry January, Dry July, moderation management, sober curiosity, and #damplifestyle are all methods of creating awareness and cutting back on habitual drinking habits.
According to the American Heart Association, the health benefits of a month (or longer) without alcohol are:
- Improved quality of sleep
- More energy
- Improved mood
- Reduced anxiety
- Improvement in levels of concentration
- Reduced insulin resistance
- Improved liver function
- Lower blood pressure
- Better digestion
- Weight loss
Additional benefits:
- Proof that you do not need alcohol to have fun, relax, or socialize.
- A sense of achievement!
- Money saved (additionally, the brain’s pleasure circuits are stimulated by acts of charity if you give it away).
- An enhanced awareness of drinking norms and a check against habitual use.
- Better mental health, reduced depression and anxiety.
- Better appetite, the potential for natural loss of weight.
- No hangovers! And a feeling of better overall health.
- Creativity abounds (figuring out what to do with the time that drinking used to take up).
- Improved concentration.
- Improved appearance – skin, hair, and eyes.
- There is no need for a designated driver – you’re it!
Why Not Try Dry January?
If the thought of late-night police lights in your rearview mirror frightens you, why not try Dry January? Or try not to drink for 30 days in another month. If for no other reason, it will help you sleep, feel, and look better. In a 2024 Fact Sheet, the World Health Organization states, “There is no form of alcohol consumption that is risk-free. Even low levels of alcohol consumption carry some risks and can cause harm.” The U.S. Surgeon General just issued a 2025 Advisory on the link between alcohol and cancer risk. If police lights don’t scare you, how about cancer? In other words, there are myriad reasons to give teetotaling a try.
Managing alcohol addiction, misuse, and use is an individual process. Our goals are different, and each person’s expected outcomes are unique. But, by all means, take the Dry January challenge. Alcohol moderation might work for those who have not become dependent upon alcohol. Or for those who want to keep track of their controlled alcohol intake. It is pretty easy to figure out if you can moderate or not.
The Dry January challenge can highlight addiction problems and ultimately lead to getting treatment. It can also be dangerous for those who need medical detox. If you are a heavy drinker, consult with a doctor before going “cold turkey.” If you find yourself cheating, lying, or coming up with reasons you “had” to drink during the challenge, it could be a warning sign. Likewise, an escalation in drinking alcohol after the challenge is a red flag.
The American Heart Association says, “Studies show people who complete Dry January are less likely to be heavy drinkers, to begin with.” For those who can drink responsibly, a month-long abstinence is an opportunity to put alcohol into proper perspective and a great way to start the new year. Additionally, 25% of participants in last year’s Dry January claim they completed the challenge, which makes it a resolution that beats the oddsโmost New Year’s intentions have 8 โ 10% success rates.
If you or a loved one find it difficult to complete Dry January or is struggling with addiction, eating disorders, or co-occurring mental health conditions, donโt wait to change your life โ click the link below to speak with a Sanford Behavioral Health admissions specialist today.
