Dry January fails to gain traction at UNC

UNC students aren't giving Dry January a shot.

The campaign, which promotes a month-long break from alcohol, aims to help people kickstart their new year, both mentally and physically. Its website says people experience a variety of benefits while participating, including better sleep, more energy and weight loss. 

Although Dry January is organized and actively promoted in the United Kingdom, it isn’t widely celebrated on UNC's campus. 

In fact, most students haven’t even heard of it.

First-year Stephanie Monmoine said she doesn’t think Dry January is conducive to most college students’ lives. 

“I think it’s a great idea in theory, but I don’t think that it’s realistic for college students or adults to stay completely sober for an entire month," she said. "You can have a glass of wine or a beer and not get hammered. It’s mostly a social thing."

For many adults and students, abstaining from alcohol for 31 days is difficult to maintain because of the role it plays in many social functions.

“We are better off making small changes to our lifestyles," said Jonathan Abramowitz, the associate chairperson of the psychology department. "So saying no alcohol for a month — that’s just not going to fly. Most people, especially college students, would be incapable of it." 

While college students might appreciate trading the "Freshman 15" for extra cash in their wallets, avoiding alcohol might be a challenge if it’s a regular part of their social lives.

“Thinking about my next month, I know that I can’t do it now," Monmoine said. "Things just come up. I would love to try because I’m sure if I did it I would feel and look better, but it’s just not a realistic goal.” 

Sophomore Adam Mya doesn’t think completing Dry January has any clear purpose. 

“I think college students are capable of not drinking for a month, but I don’t think that by the end of January, they would be a different person," he said. "They might use drinking as a reward after the month is over.” 

Abramowitz said he expects those who do participate will experience results that might create lasting changes in drinking habits. 

“If you can abstain from alcohol for 30 days and you lose weight, you sleep better. I could imagine continuing to drink less in the future. But to make college students abstain for a month, that’s a pretty tall order,” Abramowitz said.

But moderate drinking for long-term wellness is still plausible.

“The amount of alcohol a person should try to cut out depends on how much they drink normally,” said Dr. James Garbutt, a professor in the School of Medicine psychiatry department whose research focuses on alcoholism. 

Garbutt said adult women should consume no more than seven drinks per week; adult men, 10 drinks per week. Consuming more than the recommended amount increases risk of liver failure, high blood pressure, breast cancer and other health related complications. 

Garbutt said alcohol use has widespread effects.

“It’s the third cause of preventative death; it accounts for 90,000 deaths per year, not including accidents and alcohol-related violence,” Garbutt said.

Limiting alcohol intake and binge drinking is recommended for those who are concerned about the risks of alcohol use.

“If the goal is to make a lifestyle change, then maybe it’s one less drink a night when you go out,"  Abramowitz said. 

"Dry January doesn’t have to be a challenge.”

@carinamcdermed

arts@dailytarheel.com