The “Dry January” trend started more than decade ago, encouraging people who may have indulged in too many libations over the holiday season to kick off the new year by taking a break from alcohol – or at least cutting back. The number of pledgers has steadily risen since the challenge began in 2013, spreading to other countries and inspiring drinkers from around the world to rethink the social habit for at least one month.
Joseph Schacht, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus who specializes in alcohol-use disorder (AUD). Below, Laura Kelley, media relations professional in the CU Anschutz Office of Communications, speaks to Schacht about the benefits of "Dry/Damp January," how to be successful and why it’s important to create a plan that goes beyond Jan. 31.
Joseph Schacht, PhD, studies brain scans of volunteers as part of his research to better understand alcohol-use disorder. |