Dry January: Good for your health but bad for business?

JANUARY might be the only month of the year that divides people even more than December.

For some, it is a period of new beginnings, alive with potential and possibility.

For others, it is a time of forced frugality, penny-pinching and poverty.

With the excesses of Christmas having taken a toll on both body and wallet, many local people will have decided to try to make the first month of 2024 a ‘Dry January’.

However, while this trend is certainly beneficial for the financial and physical health of those who manage to stick to it, it can have the opposite affect on people who make their livelihood in the nightlife and hospitality industry.

This week, to get a look at the Dry January phenomenon from both sides, we spoke with a local hospitality tycoon and a spokesperson from an addiction charity in Omagh.

TOUGH

“January can be a tough month for people,” began Michael McElroy (pictured), owner of Omagh’s Main Street Complex.

“It is dark, wet and people who are waiting to see their pay slip come in often cannot wait for it to be over. It is understandable that less people are in the pubs and restaurants.”

However, while Mr McElroy was empathetic with the plight of those trying to claw back their Christmas losses, he questioned the extremity of the notion of ‘Dry January’.

“I suppose the idea is to moderate your drinking, which is fair enough. But is there any need to cut it out altogether? I don’t see why if you want a glass of wine with your dinner, you would deny yourself.”

Each year, questions are asked about the true impact the ‘Dry January’ craze has on the local hospitality sector.

This year, Mr McElroy gave us his honest answer.

“January has always been a quiet time of year for us, you know. The first week of 2024 was very quiet, but things have got a bit busier since. To be honest, I don’t pass too much remarks.

“If everybody had a so-called ‘Dry January’, it would be very bad for business, obviously. However, even for those who are abstaining from alcohol, the breweries have a great selection of non-alcoholic alternatives now, so you can still go out and socialise and have something – albeit non-alcoholic – to drink.”

HARMFUL

However, for many people, ‘Dry January’ is not simply a way of rebalancing their festive bank accounts. For some, it can be an opportunity to address a harmful habit.

“In our experience, people generally choose to participate in ‘Dry January’ to improve their mental and physical health after over indulging in alcohol over the Christmas and New Year period,” said a spokesperson from Ascert, Omagh.

“Reducing alcohol intake is scientifically proven to help improve mental and physical health and even a small change can make a big difference.”

They continued, “Most adults in Northern Ireland drink alcohol and, for many, it is involved in their lives in a big way – socialising, celebrating, commiserating – but for some people their relationship with alcohol can become problematic and this can happen very quickly to anyone at anytime in their lives.”

Ascert encourage anyone who consumes alcohol regularly to consider their relationship with drink, and ask themselves this question: Is it time for a change?

“This can be at any time of year, not just in January,” they said.

“We have produced helpful, informative resources on our website where people can access information on the effects and risks of alcohol and advice on how to make changes that will help make a positive change if they feel they are drinking too much, too often, or both.

Concluding they said, “It is important to seek advice from your GP or medical professional if you are drinking at high levels as you may be alcohol dependent and will need more specialist support to help reduce your alcohol intake.”