The Benefits of Observing Dry January

By Christopher J. Smith, attorney, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A.
According to Nielsen’s market data, total alcohol sales outside of bars and restaurants have surged roughly 24% during the pandemic. Spirits with higher alcohol content rose more than 27% over last year.
These alcohol trends in the midst of the pandemic were despite evidence that alcohol has the ability to decrease immunity!
In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) note alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon and breasts among women.
Women are at greater risk for some of the negative effects of booze, including absorbing more alcohol than men and taking longer to break it down. Also, women are more vulnerable to brain and heart damage then men from alcohol. Limiting alcohol has been listed as one of four totally doable New Year’s resolutions that will reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Another New Year’s resolution that is gaining traction is Dry January. Social mentions of the practice of stopping or reducing drinking for the month of January increase 1,083% from 2015 to 2019.
Dry January started in the United Kingdom by Alcohol Change in 2013 and has been growing worldwide ever since. It’s a New Year’s wellness trend that allows people to start the year clearer, more refreshed and safer. Alcohol Change estimates that four million people, or around 1 in 20 Britons, now participate each year.
Abstaining from alcohol is not without its merits. Benefits of not drinking include:

• Alcohol can mask underlying depression and anxiety, making symptoms worse
• Alcohol degrades sleep quality
• Alcohol dehydrates and can spike blood sugar
• Alcohol can suppress your body’s immune system

Here’s another bonus of observing Dry January that often goes unmentioned. When you stop drinking, you will not risk drinking and driving.
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rich & Purtz is a community champion for putting an end to drunk drivers. For three years, the firm has been a presenting sponsor for Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s Walk Like MADD 5K walk and run that raises money to ensure no one in our community suffers from the impacts of impaired drivers.
Our staff and attorneys see the impact of drunk driving through the clients we represent, reinforcing our advocacy for MADD. Nationally on average, two out of three people will be impacted by drunk driving in their lifetime.
Our attorneys have also been active in supporting area multi-jurisdiction DUI checkpoints carried out by law enforcement agencies in Lee and Charlotte County. Sponsoring the briefing dinner before checkpoints demonstrates to the officers that the law firm and the community supports their dedication to make our roads safer for all residents and visitors.