Dry January— the resolution of eliminating alcohol consumption for the month has recently become a trendy New Year’s resolution.
Dry January’s origin began as a campaign in 2013 run by the organization, Alcohol Change UK. The organization was created to prevent the harmful effects of alcohol, and its campaign offered an easy way to test the waters of sobriety without long-term commitment. The hope of the campaign was to show participants the benefits of an alcohol-free life.
However, for college students sober life can be a bit daunting. Alcohol can feel like the center of the college experience and socialization.
As a society we are heavily centered around the consumption of alcohol. From work happy hours to sporting events and concerts, alcohol is almost always present.
This can lead to alcohol becoming a crutch for any social activity. Since it lowers inhibitions, it can ease interactions for everyone, no matter what their level of social anxiety. This reliance can also create unhealthy relationships with alcohol.
Although they have grown up surrounded by alcohol, more young adults and college students are becoming “sober curious.”
For Claire Fogarty, a senior studying journalism at USC, every month is Dry January.
Before attending USC she recalls feeling anxious because of the party scene and the pressure of drinking that came with it.
“At USC it sometimes feels like it’s all or nothing with drinking,” Fogarty said, “I know there’s a middle ground, but I think it would be hard for me to find it.”
As a senior, she said she has been able to not drink while still taking advantage of all the socialization USC has to offer. She enjoys staying out late at parties during the week— without feeling the effects of alcohol the next day.
Although her close friends support her decision not to drink, she often feels ostracized by others.
“People need other people to drink around them in order for their choices to drink to be validated,” Fogarty said. “Sometimes they see you as a villain if you don’t drink.”
Fogarty loves the idea of Dry January and hopes we can continue to spread awareness about what social life is like without alcohol.
For Moorea Eldon-Everts, a senior studying business administration at USC, drinking sometimes felt like the center of her world as a member of a sorority on campus.
“I found there was a pressure to drink, especially because everyone around me was drinking and would encourage me to have something to drink,” Eldon-Everts said.
The schedule of a sorority member includes social events with frats from Wednesday to Saturday night. This hefty social schedule can take a toll one one’s body, even on those who frequently drink.
For Eldon-Everts, Dry January was a great break.
“I didn’t have hangovers that ruined the rest of my day or week. I didn’t make poor decisions that I wasn’t fully aware of,” Eldon-Everts said.
Eldon-Everts also leads a healthy lifestyle and Dry January was in alignment with it.
She loved the benefits she felt within her body with more hydrated skin, better sleep, getting sick less often and better gut health.
Alcohol has been shown to disrupt the gut microbiome and metabolic function.
“Think about when you go to the doctor’s office and they’re about to give you a shot. They put alcohol on the place where the shot is going to be. Think of that going into your body’s microbiome and wiping everything out,” Eldon-Everts said.
Angel Chavez, a masters student studying Data Science at USC, said he had been drinking a lot for some time and thought he might take a break for his health. Dry January was the perfect excuse to do it.
“I drink 2-3 times a week, and a few drinks, but only at social events when I’m hanging out with my homies,” Chavez said.
Chavez said it was often challenging trying to socialize without drinking. He explained that it became part of the fun of going out and that he found it difficult to explain to his friends that he was not drinking.
“I don’t know if I would do it again, but overall it was a good experience,” Chavez said.
As more students participate in Dry January, awareness can be spread about the health benefits of limiting alcohol consumption, while creating a more inclusive environment for students seeking out sober socialization.