What Is Drynuary?
It may seem like a cliché but reducing alcohol consumption as a New Year’s resolution is so common it has a name – Drynuary. It means to abstain from alcohol for the month of January. Chicago has plenty of hot spots where one can enjoy an alcohol-free evening, even if one is looking for carryout to celebrate Drynuary 2022.
Many people associate the holidays with alcohol. It is often ingested in larger amounts between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. In the recent years Drynuary has become popular. Those who choose to participate make a vow to r3emain alcohol-free for the month of January. They may resume their alcoholic habits on February 1.
The concept and the term have been around for over a decade. However, United Kingdom based – Alcohol Concern launched the first official Dry January In 2013. In 2014, the nonprofit organization trademarked the term Drynuary.
The movement has inspired people around the world to take time off from drinking alcoholic beverages. The people who participate in Drynuary do not necessarily have a drinking problem. Some people want to assess their relationship with the socially acceptable past-time, while others want to see the impact refraining from alcoholic will have on their diet.
Health Benefits to Drynuary
According to William Campbell, who is a clinical psychologist with Behavior Therapy Associates, says that everyone can benefit from participating in Drynuary 2022. Any attempt to change a behavior will teach one about that behavior. It will also benefit the liver, skin, and sleep.
Some choose not to return to drinking alcohol, others have a greater awareness of their drinking habits when they return.
It is important to be careful. Heavy drinkers who suddenly stop ingesting alcohol can experience dangerous side effects. These could include hallucinations and seizures. One should talk to their physician before taking part in Drynauary if they are dependent on alcohol. Additionally, it is important to note that the more dependent on alcohol one is, the more supports will be needed.
Statistics Concerning Alcohol
- 95,000 American die annually from the impact of alcohol use
- 60 percent increased their alcohol consumption during the pandemic
- 54 percent increase in sales at liquor stores during the first three weeks of March 2020 compared to 2019
- 80 to 90 percent of people consume alcohol on their 21st birthday
- 21.1 percent of children under the age of 17 live with at least one parent who has an alcohol abuse disorder
Alcohol-Free Places to Enjoy in Chicago
- D’Fruta La Vida – 3739 W. Fullerton Ave. (773) 905-7155
This is a family-owned juice bar in Logan Square. Here, you can purchase a juice, smoothie, boba tea, a house-made yogurt, and Latin-American treats like elotes, empanadas, and salchipapas.
- Chiya Chai Cafe – 2770 N, Milwaukee Ave. (773) 360-7541
Chiya Chai has cafes in Logan Square and the Loop. They carry over a dozen chai flavors. The chai tea is imported from Nepal and prepared over an induction burner to produce the best flavor. The cafe also sells loose tea leaves and chai concentrates. According to the owners, chai is the “original mocktail.: Additionally, snacks from South Asia are available.
- Billy Sunday – 3143 W. Logan Rd. (773) 661-2485
This award-winning bar has expanded its menu to include a wide variety of alcohol-free cocktails. Options include “Cloudbusting,” a cantaloupe, vanilla, mint, passion fruit, green tea with bubbles, or try “El Vacio,” a housemade alcohol-free Fernet, black fig, coffee, honey, cinchona bark, citrus oils, and orange juice.
- Daisies – 2523 N. Milwaukee Ave. (773) 661-1671
The veggie-friendly establishment includes a sober-friendly bar that serves ginger and herbal sodas, root beer, shrubs, and alcohol-free cocktails. These specialty cocktails include a variety of ingredients, such as carrots and fermented mushrooms. This gives everyone the opportunity to try something different and interesting.
- Core Juice Bar – 3924 S. Archer Ave. (773) 321-9569
Core Juice Bar has locations in Brighton Park and Gage Park. The company is committed to providing healthy food to underserved communities. The menu is a long list of fruits and vegetables that can be cold-pressed, mixed, and blended into protein shakes, smoothies, juices, and immunity boosters. Order a specialty drink or create your own! Once can also purchase bottles of juice for on the go.
- Hugo Tea Space – 1816 N. Milwaukee Ave. (773) 802-4499
The tea house, located in Bucktown sells loose-leaf teas from Japan and China. All the teas are brewed by teatenders who are well-trained in traditional methods. On select Saturdays, through January, the tea house is collaborating with Vida Mia Cocktails to create a variety of Drynuary 2022 pop-ups featuring tea- and juice-based non-alcoholic drinks.
Written by Jeanette Vietti
Sources:
Eater Chicago: Where to Celebrate Dry January 2022 in Chicago
Albuquerque Journal: Giving up alcohol for January has become a popular trend
Inverse: Will Dry January really help you cut back on alcohol? It’s complicated
Featured Image Courtesy of ambernambrose’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of Amy Goodman’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
