Dry, Damp, Wet, January. Which Category Did You Fall Into?

        It’s February and this is the point where most people are feeling the effects of sobriety after going dry for 30 days. Whether they are still on the wagon, or about to hop off. Let's define what Dry, Damp, and Wet January. 

      Dry January: Officially launched in 2013 in the UK through a campaign by The Alcohol Change UK. The inspiration was marked by a woman named Emily Robinson who prepared for a marathon, not just by exercising more, but by abstaining from alcohol for the month of January, since the marathon was slated for February. This sparked news in the UK. Everyone was more interested in how her social life was going without alcohol. She claimed she slept better, lost weight and had the stamina for training. The origins however date back even farther than Robinson. A month of national sobriety appears as far back in the history books as 1942, when Finland instigated “Sober January” (Raitis tammikuu) to aid the war effort against the Soviet Union. 

      Regardless, there has been an effort for a cultural connection for adults to have an alcohol free life without the stigma of being ostracized. There is a misconception that Dry January is a lone path. Quite the contrary, millions of American pledge every year to detox from booze for 30 days. In 2023, that number rose to about 15% of the entire American population. But does that mean you can binge on December and February? Maybe abstaining isn’t quite for you, so you opt for a Damp January.

      Damp January: Drinking in moderation. But how much can you drink to be considered moderate? That depends on many factors. It can fall anywhere between one drink a week, two drinks a month or only drinking socially. Regardless, it errs on being conservative. In this category, alcohol isn’t at the forefront. It is there for consumption, but you can completely abstain as well. The goal is not feel constrained by living your life. 

      Mindful drinking involves being conscious and intentional about the consumption of alcoholic beverages. It goes beyond the mere act of drinking and encourages individuals to cultivate awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with alcohol. Practicing mindful drinking often entails savoring each sip, paying attention to the sensory experience, and being attuned to one's own limits. This approach encourages individuals to make informed choices about when and how much they drink, fostering a healthier and more balanced relationship with alcohol. By embracing mindfulness in drinking habits, people can enhance their overall well-being, maintain better control over their alcohol intake, and create a positive impact on both their mental and physical health

      Wet January: No changes in patterns of drinking. You occasionally can go for a few days without consuming alcohol, but you definitely enjoy drinking and might possibly work in the hospitality industry. However it does not necessarily mean that you don’t ever take breaks from drinking alcohol. It's important to drink responsibly and be mindful of your alcohol consumption in this category. Hospitality folk know how to have a good time, yet drinking patterns and mindset are interlinked with the line of work. Alcohol is very accessible. Binge drinking can be a problem. 

      Overall, going 30 days without drinking is very popular among Americans and Europeans. It is a luxury to be able to abstain, then start up again. Going alcohol free can also have setbacks. What happens when February rolls around? Do you ease more into a damp category, or a full on binge as a reward because you've completed 30 days alcohol free? This is the con of abstaining—it doesn't teach us moderation. Which is where most of us would like to be. However, moderation can be a slippery slope because our inhibitions are more likely to be lowered after a drink or two, leading to more consumption. Every individual will have to test the waters in what works best for them. The importance is to not have any judgement which ever path you choose. Whether to go alcohol free, moderation, or regular consumption.   

      As a sommelier, I enjoy wine a lot, and don't see myself going cold turkey forever. I am conscious of my health and feel a lot better when I do not drink, physically and mentally. So I opt for moderation. I don't want to live a life with constraints. I like to supplement wine nights with teas. Which offer a similar taste profile to wine that provides tannins without the hangover.  

Here are recipes for each category: which ever you fall in