1 In 10 New Jerseyans Drink Heavily In February After Dry January: Survey

NEW JERSEY – Last Month we told you all about “Dry January” and how people abstain from alcohol for the first month of the year.

Well, looks like February is the month for festivities because according to a recent survey, those who participated in “Dry January” admit to drinking more in February.

Detox.net, an addiction treatment resource provider, conducted a survey to determine if those who participated in "Dry January" will continue abstaining from alcohol in the following months.

The survey revealed that over 1 in 10, or 13 percent of New Jerseyans who observe "Dry January" admit they drink more alcohol in February. This compares to a national average of 18 percent, said Detox.net.

For the survey, they spoke to 3,094 people who said they drink more in February to make up for the lack of alcohol during “Dry January.”

“When compared across states, this figure was highest in Alaska, where 40 percent of drinkers admit they clink glasses more in February in order to make up for lost time over Dry January. On the other hand, this figure was just 8 percent in Kansas,” said Detox.net.

The survey also found that 33 percent of drinkers said they consider “Dry January” to be the most “boring month” of the year. In fact, 31 percent of participants said they tend to have their first drink on the first day of February.

But it’s not all bleak. Many do have the genuine desire to cut down on drinking, according to the survey. Around 43 percent of respondents who skipped or failed “Dry January” this year said they would still participate in “Sober October” — another month-long alcohol abstaining challenge.

Around 56 percent of people who observed “Dry January” said this year has been the easiest one, given that socializing was kept to a minimum due to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant.

More than one-third of participants surveyed, or 37 percent of respondents, believe “Dry January” is a “health fad.”

But those who abstain feel like they need the booze break if they find themselves dependent on alcohol.

Many studies have said that long-term drinking can cause physical and mental problems.

So, cutting down on alcohol consumption might not be a bad idea, as it can make a noticeable difference to health, according to a study by BMJ Open.

If you or someone you know suffers from alcohol addiction, seek help and support at: www.samhsa.gov Another good resource is the Rethinking Drinking website by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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