With the holiday season wrapping up, and people setting resolutions for themselves, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, is encouraging a reset.  January has been coined by the ILCC as “Dry January.”  Dry January is a one month sobriety challenge where people stop drinking alcohol for 31 days.  The idea is to start the new year on a healthy note, detoxify the body, and potentially reassess the relationship with alcohol. 

Committing to “Dry January” can lead to positive changes, both physically and mentally.  For successful Dry January, individuals should have a strategy and set clear goals for managing cravings, peer pressure, and social situations that involve alcohol.  When in a social setting, the ILCC suggests grabbing a mocktail for the same taste without the alcohol or a canned water to blend in with those who are drinking. 

Dry January can give many benefits including improving overall health, saving money, resetting your drinking habits, improving sleep, aiding in weight loss, self-discipline, personal growth, and setting a positive tone for the year.  

For more information, contact ILCC.IndustryEducation@illinois.gov.