Swearing off alcohol for all of January is a popular way to start a new year, particularly after drinking rose among people of every age group during the pandemic. As with many resolutions, though, sticking with it can be hard for people in Hillsborough County and beyond.
Tampa resident Allan McClure knows that struggle firsthand. He tried the challenge last year and gave up early. "Dry January; I tried it last year. I failed weekend number two," he said.
McClure said the biggest obstacle is figuring out how to spend free time. "I feel like without drinking; I don't really know what to do with my weekends anymore," he explained, adding that the hardest part is finding other hobbies to fill the hours. Pressure from friends who want to go out on weekends makes it harder still.
There are payoffs for those who make it through. A University of Sussex study found that 71% of people who took part in Dry January said they slept better, 67% had more energy, 58% lost weight and 54% reported better skin.
Money is another motivator. McClure said he budgets a little over $300 a weekend on alcohol at bars and restaurants, and figured he could save close to $1,000 a month by not drinking.
Adam Jablin, an addiction recovery coach, said the purpose of the month goes beyond cleansing the body. "The reason we're doing Dry January is not just to purify the body, mind and spirit. It really is to take a look at your specific relationship with it," he said. He does not want participants to be hard on themselves, since "every single person is different."
According to Jablin, time away from alcohol makes people notice their cravings, including when and why they want to drink.
McClure plans to try Dry January again and says he is working to improve himself in small ways each day. His own approach is more modest than a full month without alcohol: taking one weekend a month off from drinking entirely.
For anyone who slips, Jablin offered encouragement. "You have to fall down seven, get up eight, but you have to keep going for it," he said. Whether the goal is Dry January or something else, he added, "You just have to keep trying."
