Why do non-alcoholics find “dry January” difficult?

[Anonymous]

Every month dry is difficult for a drunk, OP.

[Anonymous]

I am far from an alcoholic and probably even rarely drink, but sometimes like to drink on a night out with friends.

I never drink when I am driving so that already limits my options. But I don't like a dry month to cramp my style really - if I otherwise could have a drink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was listening to some people over the holidays talking about dry January. Apparently it is becoming a thing among their circles. All of them claim to be non-alcoholics though I’m sure some are functional alcoholics. It was sad to hear how difficult some consider the challenge.

Do you participate in dry January? If so, how much of it is a challenge for you and why (social pressure, stress, …)? Has it made you think about how much alcohol you drink and/or how much you spend on booze?

Whispers: they're all alcoholics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to be a once-per-month social drinker but had to stop entirely due to a medical issue. I don't miss the alcohol itself, but I miss the ritual and social aspects of it - a drink at a restaurant bar waiting for the table or happy hour with friends. Maybe this is part of the problem with those having difficulty with dry January. While I know that I can partake in non-alcoholic drinks in these settings, its not quite the same.

I don’t get how it is “not the same” when the vast majority of restaurants, hotel bars and bars have mocktail menus. What is different about sipping a virgin cocktail with muddled mint vs. a mojito?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to be a once-per-month social drinker but had to stop entirely due to a medical issue. I don't miss the alcohol itself, but I miss the ritual and social aspects of it - a drink at a restaurant bar waiting for the table or happy hour with friends. Maybe this is part of the problem with those having difficulty with dry January. While I know that I can partake in non-alcoholic drinks in these settings, its not quite the same.

I don’t get how it is “not the same” when the vast majority of restaurants, hotel bars and bars have mocktail menus. What is different about sipping a virgin cocktail with muddled mint vs. a mojito?

The “vast majority” do not have menus. Can the bartender make you a Shirley Temple? Sure. Are coffee/tea/soft drinks available? Yes. But the vast majority do not have a mocktail menu.

[Anonymous]

I guess I just don't have any particular motivation to do Dry January. Same for Whole 30. I get that big habit changes are good for some people at the start of the New Year, but when work and school are ramping back up I don't like to add more requirements to my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to be a once-per-month social drinker but had to stop entirely due to a medical issue. I don't miss the alcohol itself, but I miss the ritual and social aspects of it - a drink at a restaurant bar waiting for the table or happy hour with friends. Maybe this is part of the problem with those having difficulty with dry January. While I know that I can partake in non-alcoholic drinks in these settings, its not quite the same.

I don’t get how it is “not the same” when the vast majority of restaurants, hotel bars and bars have mocktail menus. What is different about sipping a virgin cocktail with muddled mint vs. a mojito?

DP. Do you really not understand how a little alcohol acts as a social lubricant? Makes everyone relax just a bit, loosen up? Not talking about getting drunk, but just a little bubblier. Alcohol makes things more fun before it starts to make things worse.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of people on here who seem to think that drinking is inherently problematic. I'm not totally unsympathetic to that position; my great grandfather was an alcoholic and my grandfather abstained totally for that reason.

I'm currently pregnant so I'm not drinking, but when I'm not, I have a single small drink with dinner 4-5x per week. I like the taste and the ritual of it. It makes dinner feel more special...I sit down with my son and husband and we enjoy a nice meal together after a busy day. I imagine for some people, dry january is hard because it interrupts a similar part of their day.

[Anonymous]

One thing is that people who don’t see a problem with their own drinking or the culture of drinking in their close social circle don’t have a reason to participate in dry January. At least not consciously. I drink infrequently and lightly due to health issues. I have not had a drink in the month of January a few years because no one offered me one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have zero interest in these stupid shenanigans. For 2+ years I've been on and off pregnant (recurrent miscarriage) and the burden of constantly not having autonomy of your body and being strict just to mourn another baby? F that. I'm drinking when I'm not pregnant.

I’m so sorry, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to be a once-per-month social drinker but had to stop entirely due to a medical issue. I don't miss the alcohol itself, but I miss the ritual and social aspects of it - a drink at a restaurant bar waiting for the table or happy hour with friends. Maybe this is part of the problem with those having difficulty with dry January. While I know that I can partake in non-alcoholic drinks in these settings, its not quite the same.

I don’t get how it is “not the same” when the vast majority of restaurants, hotel bars and bars have mocktail menus. What is different about sipping a virgin cocktail with muddled mint vs. a mojito?

DP. Do you really not understand how a little alcohol acts as a social lubricant? Makes everyone relax just a bit, loosen up? Not talking about getting drunk, but just a little bubblier. Alcohol makes things more fun before it starts to make things worse.

I'm convinced people who don't understand this probably have alcoholics in their family who have inflicted trauma.

[Anonymous]

I feel like this is the whole vegan thing. People who do it are very vocal and obnoxious about their virtue signaling and moral high ground.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have an alcohol problem, but I would find it inconvenient to do dry January so I don’t.

I have a group of friends that gets together every two weeks at a brewery and I always drink one beer at these gatherings. Outside that one beer every two weeks, I had less than five drinks this past year. So hardly an alcoholic. But I wouldn’t want to do dry January and show up to a brewery and not order a beer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to be a once-per-month social drinker but had to stop entirely due to a medical issue. I don't miss the alcohol itself, but I miss the ritual and social aspects of it - a drink at a restaurant bar waiting for the table or happy hour with friends. Maybe this is part of the problem with those having difficulty with dry January. While I know that I can partake in non-alcoholic drinks in these settings, its not quite the same.

I don’t get how it is “not the same” when the vast majority of restaurants, hotel bars and bars have mocktail menus. What is different about sipping a virgin cocktail with muddled mint vs. a mojito?

The “vast majority” do not have menus. Can the bartender make you a Shirley Temple? Sure. Are coffee/tea/soft drinks available? Yes. But the vast majority do not have a mocktail menu.

Open your mouth and ask. I’ve asked bartenders to make me a mocktail, and they are happy to do so! They often ask things like do you like cranberry, do you like lime juice, etc. It’s actually a great conversation starter. I’ve ordered this way and then had the women next to me ask for the mocktail I just got.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to be a once-per-month social drinker but had to stop entirely due to a medical issue. I don't miss the alcohol itself, but I miss the ritual and social aspects of it - a drink at a restaurant bar waiting for the table or happy hour with friends. Maybe this is part of the problem with those having difficulty with dry January. While I know that I can partake in non-alcoholic drinks in these settings, its not quite the same.

I don’t get how it is “not the same” when the vast majority of restaurants, hotel bars and bars have mocktail menus. What is different about sipping a virgin cocktail with muddled mint vs. a mojito?

DP. Do you really not understand how a little alcohol acts as a social lubricant? Makes everyone relax just a bit, loosen up? Not talking about getting drunk, but just a little bubblier. Alcohol makes things more fun before it starts to make things worse.

You need a “social lubricant” to sit at a restaurant bar waiting for a table with FRIENDS? You can’t sit and chat with your friends without alcohol? When I talk with friends as we wait for a table, I am not sniffing their glasses to see whether they are drinking a vodka soda or a club soda.