General Article I’m an addiction researcher and therapist. Here’s why promoting sober ‘dry months’ bothers me

Topic Selected: Addiction Book Volume: 410

I’m an addiction researcher and therapist. Here’s why promoting sober ‘dry months’ bothers me.

‘Dry’ month campaigns have gained traction with people increasingly taking a time out from alcohol use for one month. (Pixabay)

Kara Fletcher, University of Regina

Campaigns that challenge people to abstain from alcohol for one month — often in support of a good cause — have emerged across the globe over the past decade. Dry January officially launched in 2013 with a public health campaign by British charity Alcohol Change.

Other “month of abstinence” campaigns have included Dry July, Sober September, Sober October and “Dry February” — a few examples of campaigns from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and beyond. Dry campaigns have gained traction with people increasingly taking a time out from drinking alcohol for one month.

Early research suggests alcohol use has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among individuals who have mental health challenges. Th...

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