Improving one’s health is among the most common New Year’s resolutions, and the popular Dry January trend seems a good way to help; however, there’s more to this campaign than meets the eye.
Started in 2013 by Emily Robinson, this campaign sees participants abstain from alcohol for the entirety of January. While total sobriety for just a month may sound ideal, is it truly a good resolution for everyone?
Pros
Though a month may seem like a short time period, the benefits show up quickly. A 2018 study from BMJ Open saw frequent drinkers abstain for a month and several health benefits arise; chief among them was improved sleep quality and energy levels, as well as decreased blood pressure and fewer cancer-causing proteins.
The mind benefits from the month-long alcohol break just as much as the body. An article in the science journal “Brain” showed those who abstained from alcohol consumption for just a week increased the recovery of their brain’s white matter, which is crucial in allowing different regions of the brain to work together as well as in exchanging mental information.
The benefits of Dry January also extend beyond one’s physical health and into their financial well-being, specifically for those in Pennsylvania. It was recently reported that over 3,000 wines and spirits in the state would see a 4% price increase this month. Considering both the growing trend of rising alcohol prices near the holidays as well as the growing rate of inflation, having one less thing to consistently buy at the store could be a strong boon.
Cons
For those used to habitual alcohol consumption, withdrawal is a serious concern. Notable symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include sleep issues and mood changes in mild cases, and seizures and hallucinations in the most extreme circumstances. More concerning is just how quickly these symptoms can kick in: the mild symptoms can kick in within eight hours of one’s last drink, while the severe ones can emerge within as few as 24 hours. In some cases, the symptoms can prove fatal.
Wet February is a potential concern for those partaking in Dry January, where people consume an excess of alcohol to make up for the month spent abstaining. This obviously has the downside of rendering the past month’s gains worthless, but could also encourage what Men’s Health calls a “binge-purge mentality,” where people overconsume and abstain from alcohol in a vicious cycle of fits and starts.
Besides the health downsides of this abstinence, Dry January can also cause people to forget the notable benefits of alcohol consumption: it has been well documented that antioxidants in red wines maintain the health of the heart in addition to lowering cholesterol, but other types of alcohol have their upsides. Bourbon can reduce one’s cancer risk and is a defense against type two diabetes, while beer’s high concentration of protein and iron makes it among the healthiest alcoholic drinks.
Dry January has proven itself to be rather popular despite its recency. The campaign, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has seen its participation rates increase from 4,000 participants at its start to over 100,000 in 2022, according to Alcohol Change’s website. It has also found its way into the life of one Kennesaw State student.
“I’m taking part in Dry January because it’s part of my resolution to not consume any alcoholic beverages until at least July. I decided to try this out mostly just to give myself a simple challenge that I could do for the year since I don’t drink much anyway. I also wanted to do this for health benefits,” senior Mariyka Sich said.
It seems this challenge has proved itself worthwhile, as Sich believes other KSU students could benefit from this month without alcohol.
“Yes, I would recommend that KSU students try this challenge. My advice to those also participating is to try to avoid events where alcoholic beverages are bound to be sold. If you’re invited out to a bar and you want to be there with your friends without feeling awkward, order virgin cocktails,” Sich said.
More information about Dry January can be found on Alcohol Change’s website, or in their 2018 book “Try Dry: The Official Guide to a Month off Booze.” For those aiming to participate, the Try Dry app can be used to monitor one’s progress.
