We need to talk about alcohol: A dive into the trends that shape how we view our daily pints - and the potential benefits of giving it up
Mixtures of warnings and trends have been publicised to curb the use of alcohol in recent years, which has led to a substantial decrease in alcohol use, especially during January. The “Dry January” trend is part of a larger scheme by Alcohol Change UK which was initially started by Emily Robinson, who stopped drinking for a month before her half-marathon. Its success in recent years has raised questions, with almost a third of people likely to either give up entirely or reduce their alcohol intake during January.
Recently, the United States Surgeon General has announced a clear link between even minimal alcohol intake and various forms of common cancer. This, and similar warnings throughout recent years, have added fire to recent increases in concern about past generations' overuse and tolerance of alcohol, despite its adverse effects on people’s health. The ritual of Dry January has expanded as people, especially younger generations, have tried this challenge and continued it throughout the year. Breaking this habit and creating this trend has created a sense of community for those who wish to find healthier lifestyles. The momentum created by the trend has led to positive effects, as large portions of those participating see themselves altering their overall drinking patterns.
The negative effects of alcohol are one of the driving forces for this movement. The awareness of both the impact on people’s mental and physical health has led to younger generations taking a step back from alcohol usage.
There are connections between regular alcohol use and harmful effects on the body, such as its carcinogenic effects, increased risks of stroke, heart disease, and degradation of bone density.
Despite the harmful effects of alcohol, these are often underestimated due to the normalisation of alcohol use in our society.
The influence of social media in raising awareness about the dangers of alcohol has significantly increased in recent years. The rise in influencers and individual voices promoting trends like Dry January compels more people to get involved, and to take the warnings given by health professionals more seriously. In spite of the fact that there is a strong focus on the physical effects of alcohol, a larger aspect many are focusing on as younger generations become more health aware is mental health.
There is a a direct connection between regular use of alcohol and mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, and, at the most extreme, psychosis. While these risks have been known for years, it seems that recently, fewer and fewer people are willing to take them.
As a result of being more health-conscious, younger generations are once again the ones who have spearheaded this movement,
almost 40% of those completing Dry January being accomplished by individuals aged 21-24, according to a study conducted by Civic Science.
This comes as a result of multiple factors. Firstly, Gen Z is one of the first generations to put a focus on mental health.
The rise of mental health awareness, particularly through social media, as well as the effects of alcohol on mental health, have led to a sharp decrease in younger generations’ use of alcohol. The University Observer recently spoke to several students at UCD, asking their opinion on these concerns. Multiple students cited “personal health” and “personal desire to decrease alcohol intake” as reasons why they started Dry January. Some of the benefits outlined included more money in their wallets at the end of the month, and general feelings of productivity and well-being. One UCD student (and University Observer Arts and Creativity Editor) Laura Molloy shared her experience of Dry January, “I think it’s a great trend. If you actually stick to it, it can really show you how much fun you can have without alcohol.”
In recent years, those who have participated in low alcohol-consumption trends have, on average, felt many positive outcomes.
A survey conducted by Sunnyside noted that Dry January participants noticed an 80% increase in their sense of accomplishment. 60% said they noticed better work ethic and focus, and 45-55% of participants felt they had better sleep, were more productive, and noticed an increase in their overall mood.
These benefits may be another piece of this rapidly growing trend puzzle.
The social aspect of sobriety is one of the most commonly cited reasons why people did not participate in the trend. However, 80% of those who participated in Dry January and the aforementioned study by Sunnyside saw an increase in their ability to socialise despite alcohol use. Still, this number sharply declined as only 50% of those who had minimal amounts of alcohol consumption throughout the month stated the same thing. All of this, with the growing support for the now lucrative business of alcohol-free drinks, may encourage positive conversations about the use of alcohol as a social medium in daily life.
Dry January participants are readily turning to non-alcoholic beverages as a substitute for the real thing. Many people still feel at home in their local pubs, which are often social hubs, and thus the rise of non-alcoholic beverages has become a hot topic of conversation. This new trend of beverages that still taste like your favourite alcoholic drink has seen massive increases in consumption. Most bars and pubs now have a growing Mocktail menu, and 0.0 beers on draught, but many people still find themselves in a tight spot.
Be it by means of stigma or general dislike of the taste altogether, many refuse to consume non-alcoholic options. For some, going to the pub to order a non-alcoholic beverage seems futile. As a result, an unlikely increase in the use of fruit juice and energy drinks has been seen to be the go-to for Gen-Z.
Alternatively, many turn to hobbies and other activities to curb their temptations during Dry January. Students we spoke to say they turn to physical activity, reading, cooking, quality time with friends and family, and, of course, cosying up and watching Netflix.
The large list of benefits and the currently growing worries over the effects of alcohol have led to primarily Gen-Z turning away from it, with high numbers taking up Dry January. This wave of changing behaviour has brought a modern discourse concerning how we treat alcohol as a society, and the alarming effects it can have on us as a global population.
Alcohol's ability to degrade mental and physical health, along with its normalised position in society, has made it a major discussion point in a larger conversation surrounding substance use.
Younger generations are loudly claiming that they’re experiencing amazing benefits of sobriety, such as improved physical health, mental clarity, and enhanced productivity. The best way to know for sure is to try it yourself—challenge yourself this month, or next January, or any month for that matter, discover alternative ways to connect with others and form your own opinions on the subject.