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College and universities provide alternative or dry events for students who are looking to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption in their lives.
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Dry January is a popular trend for people looking to cut back on their alcohol consumption for a designated period of time. Some participants commit to not consume alcohol for 31 days, and others reduce how many drinks they have in a given time frame.
The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found 45 percent of male and 48 percent of female full-time college students ages 18 to 22 had consumed alcohol in the past month. Over one-quarter of college students, male and female, engaged in binge drinking during that past month.
Colleges and universities offer dry alternatives that can help students reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption for the month and even beyond.
The research: Compared to generations before, young people today are drinking less, with 62 percent of adults under age 35 drinking on occasion and 61 percent drinking within the past week, according to a Gallup poll.
Young people who experience mental health challenges including anxiety and depression may be more inclined to consume alcohol to manage uncomfortable emotions, but excluding alcohol for a 31-day period can result in positive benefits, such as improved concentration and increased energy, both of which can help with student success.
Even a “damp January” can make improvements on a person’s health, as any alcohol reduction is beneficial and can result in better sleep, more energy, weight loss and lower blood pressure.
A sweet substitute: Rather than consuming an alcohol-infused cocktail, students can turn to mocktails at social events or at home. McGill University in Quebec will host a mocktail party later this month, inviting students to take a quiz on alcohol consumption.
“It will be a chance to discover fun and delicious drinks as an alternative to alcohol, take a break from school, learn more about alcohol consumption and how you can party in a safer way,” according to the event description.
Marquette University hosted Mocktails and Masterpieces during finals week in December, an event co-sponsored by the Center for Student Wellness and Health Promotion and Innovation Kitchen. Students learned about the benefits of mocktails as an alternative to alcoholic beverages and were able to create their own specialty drinks.
Sober social circles: Sharing the commitment to complete a month of sobriety with family and friends can help a person stick to Dry January, and attempting the challenge in community can further assist in reaching this goal.
For students who are used to regularly consuming alcohol, cutting back can seem isolating when it comes to social events like tailgates or parties. Some colleges and universities offer dedicated sober events for students to engage in community without feeling pressure to use substances.
At Stanford University, the Office of Substance Use Programs Education and Resources’ student well-being organization, Stanford PEERs, and recovery program are hosting a month of activities for students interested in taking a pledge to not use substances for the month. On Jan. 31, participants will gather for a dinner celebration including music and prizes.
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College hosted a Dry January tabling event to encourage learners to abstain from alcohol and substances, part of a larger peer recovery program.
Do you have a wellness tip that might help others encourage student success? Tell us about it.
