Is Dry January worth it? CT experts say the health benefits extend beyond the month

Dry January — the informal campaign to cut out alcohol from Jan. 1 through 31 — looks as if its health benefits stretch beyond a singular month of cutting booze, according to new research. A study from the University of Nebraska shows that even a singular month of abstinence can reverse or lessen alcohol-related damage to the liver or other organs. Previously, health officials suggested that liver damage caused by what is considered excessive drinking would take far longer to repair. However, new research shows one month is all it takes for internal benefits like liver repair to begin, as well as external benefits like improved energy, clearer skin and weight loss. Professor Leslie Snyder is the director of the Center for Health Communication and Marketing at UConn. She said she was familiar with the informal Dry January campaign here in the U.S., and noted that formal studies of its effects in the U.K. by its National Health Service showed strong efficacy in reduced drinking as a country. “The quantitative studies show that it seems to affect how people feel about themselves. They report greater well-being,” Snyder said. "It also affects their self-efficacy to refuse drinking when they don't want to drink and increases the number of strategies that they can use to refuse drinking.” Snyder said gaining these tools shows the Dry January campaign is effective in making many participants reduce their drinking long after January has passed. She said the longevity of Dry January shows benefits in both physical health and in allowing adults to be more cognizant of their alcohol consumption. For Dry January participant Rodney Woodard, the sentiment rings true. Woodard, a patron at Stratford's Athletic Brewing said he uses the month for a spiritual reset and overall detoxification. “Yeah, I drink alcohol. But to drink non-alcoholic beer, you've got to make an assertive effort to do that,” Woodard said. “I've got a closet full of beer. And I've got a closet full of bourbon. But this is something that I like to do at the beginning of the year… put away the alcohol and enjoy non alcoholic beer.” Woodard also noticed the health benefits that come with just a month of abstinence. He said that it feels like his body is running on “premium fuel,” having better sleep, better workouts at the gym and just overall better health. Athletic Brewing is one of the nation's largest brewers of non-alcoholic beer. Companies and establishments around the Nutmeg State have invested in non-alcoholic products and menu offerings, supporting ways to remain social without the booze. At Stratford's Athletic Brewing, Dry January typically boosts the non-alcoholic beer brewers sales 20-30 percent. Spokesperson Chris Funari said more than 80 percent of its customers still consume alcohol, despite only offering booze-free beers. He said the company doesn't preach sobriety to its consumers. It wants to be their go-to drink when they want a beer but have things like an early alarm the next day or fitness goals they are striving for. Furnari said the conversation has shifted toward mindful drinking, or simply being conscious of one’s drinking habits. “This year, we decided to take an approach of kind of pulling back from the all-or-nothing, all-in Dry January, and go with a less intimidating version of that," Funari said. "Our campaign was ‘Give Dry a Try.'” Woodard, who is on his fourth Dry January, said Athletic's beers are one piece of the puzzle when it comes to abstinence in January and beyond. He said he was even bringing some Athletic brews from the Stratford taproom home to his family and friends in Houston. Woodard said the fun and interesting flavors help keep him on track with his goals and he wanted to share that back home. For Woodard, the messaging of Dry January helps set him up for mindful drinking habits all year round. "There comes a point in time where I still want to be able to enjoy the conversation that I'm having with people and enjoy whatever activity is I'm doing," Woodard said. "Now that I have the option to drink non-alcoholic beer, that stops me from grabbing a second or third or fourth glass of whiskey or the third or fourth glass of beer." That, Furnari said, is what he wants Athletic Brewing to continue doing — marketing itself to both drinkers and non-drinkers alike. It is the same thing Professor Snyder believes will set people attempting Dry January up for success, and for sustaining those habits long term. "If you then can observe that you can have as much fun without drinking, then, maybe overall, you lessen the amount that you drink even after dry January,” Synder said. "Alcohol is not the key to having fun and learning that, believing that and feeling that can be very beneficial.” Data shows consumers are interested in having non-alcoholic options within their communities. Yelp reported a 59-percent increase in the search term “mocktails” in 2022. Connecticut has several establishments where customers can get craft mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks. Westport has several restaurants that specialize in craft mocktails, like Il Pelicano, Terrain and Nomade, which all offer multiple boozeless beverages. Malibu Taco in Fairfield has a whole menu section dedicated to its mocktail offerings. Beyond Fairfield County, Sherkaan Indian Street Food in New Haven has eight specialty mocktails on the menu and The Charles in Wethersfield makes a non-alcoholic sangria. As time goes on, Furnari said he see's alcohol becoming "a lot less interesting to a lot of people." Additional reporting by Daniel Figueroa IV.

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