Abstaining from alcohol in the first month of the year has become a trend; For experts, this could be an important time to reflect on drink consumption
With the arrival of the new year, many are gathering to try sobriety, at least in the month of January. Dry January, or Dry Januarythe month in which some people abstain from ingesting alcohol as part of a New Year’s Eve ritual, it has gained popularity since the term was coined about ten years ago.
According to CivicScience, a consumer data analytics company, about a quarter of adults 18 or older in the United States participated in Dry January in 2024, an increase from previous years.
Last year, young adults were the most likely to participate in the month’s challenge, with 35% of young adults aged 21-24. This reflects a trend in Generation Zwho appear to be more likely to opt for sparkling water and embrace a sober or “sobriety curious” lifestyle than previous generations, for several reasons, including avoiding social pressures.
What was once a simple New Year’s resolution has become a glorified trend on social media, whether for health reasons or pure curiosity. The world has also caught up with the movement, with many restaurants and bars increasingly offering mocktail options for those who want to partake in happy hour without feeling out of place or judged.
But since many overly ambitious New Year’s resolutions end up falling through the cracks, some people have opted for a more flexible version: Wet January, or Rainy January.
The differences
Similar to Dry January, Wet January offers participants the chance to reflect on their relationship with alcohol.
“It can become a very reflective time,” Akhil Anand, a psychiatrist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Drug and Recovery Center, tells Fortune. “Any reduction in alcohol consumption is really important,” adding that many people who try to limit or give up alcohol find they don’t need it to enjoy life as much as they once thought.
As the name suggests, the “wet” option doesn’t require you to stop drinking completely. You decide what limits to impose. In this model, people set rules for alcohol consumption, limiting it during the 31 days.
For example, if you are used to consuming 15 drinks a week, you can propose to reduce some of them during the month, gradually reducing your consumption. At the same time, you can choose drinks with a lower alcohol content.
A person may have a glass of wine at dinner, but avoid alcohol in social or work settings, for example. Others may set limits for certain days or times of the week. It’s a personal decision, says Vedant Pradeep, CEO and co-founder of Reframe, an alcohol reduction app, adding that it can be empowering.
“You’re making the decision to reduce consumption and prioritize your health,” he says. “This is a very positive step in the right direction.”
Do these actions improve health?
Excessive alcohol consumption, such as drink excessivelywhich increased over the course of pandemichas long-term consequences, including an increased risk of developing alcohol use disorders, addiction, heart problems, certain types of Cancermemory problems, depression and anxiety, in addition to social problems, such as family and professional problems, according to the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
For adults, drinking in moderation – that is, two drinks or less per day for men and one or less for women – can help reduce these long-term health problems.
Not surprisingly, complete abstinence from alcohol also has benefits. One study revealed that for moderate to heavy drinkers who abstained from alcohol for a month, there were long-term benefits such as improvements in insulin resistance, weight, blood pressure, as well as “reduced risk factors.” growth related to cancer”. Anand also notes that his patients report improved overall well-being, sleep and humor.
On the other hand, maintaining this habit of abstinence is not always easy for everyone. A British study found that after completing Dry January, many people felt freer to drink excessively at other times of the year, which can have harmful effects.
However, reflecting on a month of reduced drinking can help people “take back control” and feel better about their lives, Anand says.
Is Wet January Right for You?
Having an intention and purpose is important when deciding whether to choose Wet January (and can increase your chances of success). Start by noticing when you tend to drink alcohol and how it makes you feel, not just at the time, but afterward, too.
Some people, for example, suffer from anxiety and find that alcohol makes their symptoms worse, according to Anand. Others may want to improve their sleep or productivity, which can serve as motivation to limit alcohol consumption, especially in environments where alcohol is always present.
“We live in the culture we are part of, whether at work or socially with friends, [e] alcohol is everywhere,” says Anand. Having a purpose helps you feel motivated to push yourself and find ways to replace alcohol with other activities and even new hobbies.
For Anne Mahlum, fitness entrepreneur and founder of Solidcore, reflecting on her consumption led her to realize that she had developed a harmful habit. She drank every day and often alone.
“If you’re starting to think about this and wonder if you have a healthy relationship with alcohol, this is probably already telling you something,” he says. “I felt a little guilty, I was ashamed. I didn’t like waking up with a slight headache. It didn’t fit who I wanted to be.”
Identifying how alcohol fits into your life can help you find alternatives, such as replacing drinking with exercise, and monitor how you feel about creating situations where alcohol isn’t the focus. This can help you set your intention when choosing Dry January or Wet January.
For Anne, the flexible version was not the answer, as the guidelines can be ambiguous. He needed total abstinence to evaluate his consumption. However, every person is different, he points out.
Stopping completely may not work or be sustainable for everyone. Some people may experience discomfort that makes it difficult to reach their 31-day abstinence goal. Rainy January could be the alternative.
“You can reduce slowly [o consumo de álcool] over time,” says Pradeep. “Your body can adapt much better.”
However, for those experiencing more severe withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, or changes in heart rhythm, there may be a more serious relationship with alcohol. In these cases, Dry January and Wet January will probably not be beneficial. Anand recommends consulting a doctor, who can recommend appropriate resources or treatments.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
