LAKEWOOD, Ohio — We are more than halfway through the month, and for some people, it has been a sober one, with about 14% of American adults participating in “Dry January.”
The trend to not drink alcohol in January began in 2012 in Britain. Those who participate say they have better skin and sleep, more energy, and see savings in their wallets.
While behind the bar, at places such as Distill Table in Lakewood, bartenders are now catering to so-called “sober curious” customers.
Joey Gentile creates “mocktails,” which look like Negroni’s and Irish Coffees, but are not.
Priced at $6 and up, he said there are various reasons people consume them.
“It could vary from someone wanting to be sober, someone having to be sober, someone from just not in the mood to drink,” he said.
According to market research firm Mintel, one in five drinkers reduced their alcohol consumption last year.
The non-alcoholic beer industry is expected to grow to more than $25 billion in 2024, as a wider range of alcohol-free options become available.
Even new sober dating apps prove that ditching booze does not have to mean ditching a social life.
“Removing alcohol is going to generate something positive,” said Dr. Sybil Marsh, University Hospitals. “The longer you would spend as a non-drinker, the better it would be.”
Her advice: If you made it through January dry, try February too.
For those who do consume alcohol, the CDC recommends no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks a day for men.