News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Dry January is here, a month-long commitment to abstain from alcohol as a way to reset, reflect, and prioritize health.
Bradford Health’s Brittany Mullinax said Dry January offers a chance for individuals to reflect on their relationship with alcohol. Mullinax said the initiative can help people recognize that alcohol is not a necessity. She also said Dry January aims to reduce DUIs, discourage adolescent drinking, and raise awareness about the challenges associated with alcohol consumption.
“If they don’t drink for a month a lot of times without for a month they’ll realize they don’t need it,” Mullinax said. “And it can promote people to stay clean and want stay clean without it so they don’t need it everyday and not wanting to pick it up everyday and hopefully they won’t feel like they won’t have the need to drink anymore.”
Mullinax said measuring progress can bring a sense of gratitude. She said journaling is valuable tool because writing progress down allows individuals to track their journey and their growth.
Mullinax said abstaining from alcohol on your own for a long period of time is difficult. She said finding a partner to join this event for support.
“You may feel sick, you may feel good, you may feel rough for a few days,” Mullinax said. “But journaling each day and watching your journey to see the change within you throughout that month, that helps as well because they’re gonna see the change, they’re gonna notice it.”
Mullinax said societal perceptions influence drinking rates, and because drinking is culturally accepted, many people believe drinking is okay. She said teens are starting too young, and once they begin, quitting becomes improbable. Mullinax said Dry January is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and focus on doing whatever is necessary for personal well-being.
“I think its too acceptable,” Mullinax said. “There’s so many DUI’s now, there’s so many people that are getting killed because people are getting behind the wheel intoxicated. They go restaurants, they drink, and they drink too much.”
