Dry January is over, but are ‘sober drinks' a healthy way to keep it going?

A year ago, a person decided to take part in Dry January and remove alcohol from their life for a month. They had attempted the challenge in the past but would typically give up after a week. But in 2023, the person became aware of the firm grasp alcohol had on their life. They were having two or three drinks a night when they decided to quit. Drinking eight or more alcoholic beverages per week is considered heavy drinking for women, while for men, the threshold is 15 or more drinks per week. The person said Dry January was the perfect eye-opener. Now sober, they have adopted several tactics to maintain sobriety, including therapy, journaling, and drinking nonalcoholic beverages like mocktails. Choosing a ‘sober beverage’ means avoiding the intoxicating and depressant effects of alcohol. Nonalcoholic drinks might not be suitable for everyone, but several brands have recently entered the market with alcohol alternatives such as craft mocktails, dealcoholized wines, and nonalcoholic spirits and beers. In recent years, major alcohol companies have joined the sober trend with nonalcoholic options. A beverage is labeled nonalcoholic in the US if it contains between 0.0% and 0.5% alcohol by volume. Sober wines can also be labeled as nonalcoholic or alcohol-free, but they are made by extracting alcohol from the wine. Craft mocktails contain zero alcohol and are made from ingredients like carbonated water and fruit concentrate. Nonalcoholic beverages can help people limit alcohol consumption and reduce associated health risks. The World Health Organization has stated that no level of alcohol consumption is safe due to its link to several types of cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption is also associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, cognitive issues, and mental health problems. Many mocktail products are designed to relieve anxiety and stress, with some brands offering relaxation and energizing effects. However, it’s important to note that isolated ingredients in these beverages might not have a significant impact on the body. Nonalcoholic beverages may not be suitable for people with alcohol use disorder as they can trigger cravings. Some beverages with minimal alcohol content can still be harmful to individuals with liver cirrhosis. Additionally, some mocktails may contain a lot of refined sugar, which may not align with everyone’s health goals. Ultimately, going sober can have social ramifications, so it’s important to find a supportive community of people who enjoy alcohol-free activities.