LOUISVILLE, Ky. — t’s the start of a new year and with that means you might be taking part in new year’s resolutions and reaching for new goals like getting back into the gym, cutting back on sweets and consuming less alcohol.

Dry January  - a challenge where people don’t drink alcohol for the first month of the year has started.

And new studies from Civic Science show that more than a quarter of Americans over the age of 21 plan to participate this year.

What You Need To Know

  • Dry January is a public health initiative that challenges people to abstain from alcohol for one month

  • Recent survey found 27% of adults are expected to participate

  • Fizz District in Louisville is one of many to off non-alcoholic drinks

  • Doctors tells say going sober for the short period can have lasting benefits

Lucas Bennett says every January is dry January.

“Some people may find that it is challenging to quit if they have a drinking habit that’s more than just a social drink,” said Bennett. 

Bennett will celebrate his 12th year sober in February. He is the president of Vision for You, an organization that helps people struggling with addiction. 

“I think there’s a lot of benefits even for people who aren’t alcoholics. When I stopped drinking, I got my feelings back, I got my emotions, I sleep better. Overall, my quality of life is better,” he said. 

New studies have shown that 27% of U.S. adults were likely to cut out alcohol for the month of January.

Last year, some people who participated in Dry January filled the void with soda or seltzers.

It’s Fizz District’s specialty. 

“These are the best mocktails you’ve ever had. And you can dress them up with collagen with skin, with hydration and custom levels of caffeine, so you can still get that energetic boost. Maybe not the same type of buzz. But you still get a delicious drink that you feel great about,” said one of Fizz District’s founders, Chris Ratterman.

Ratterman is a Louisville native and also thefounder of Shady Rays sunglasses.

“We take natural clean ingredients and hand make sodas from scratch,” said Ratterman. 

Doctors say that since the pandemic Dry January has grown in popularity.

“We just celebrated New Year’s and we are in a very bourbon forward community. And we may be drinking more than we realize. For men that can be greater than 3 drinks in one sitting and for women that greater than 2 drinks in one sitting," said Dr. Monalisa Tailor. Tailor is a primary physician with Norton Healthcare. 

Tailor says even going sober for the short period can have lasting benefits.

“I feel like I have a patient every day who asks me ‘How can I get more energy?’ Well, participate in Dry January. Decrease your alcohol use and that will help improve your sleep. Being sober for the 31 days of January can make a big impact on your liver as well,” said Tailor. 

With a new year and new resolutions, this is a popular time to reach for the goal.

“Every year around January or February are our busiest months. I think in general when you are not putting substances in your body you tend to feel a lot better,” said Bennett. 

Bennett and his team will be ready to help people who need an extra hand.

Doctors say that if you plan to swap alcohol for other beverages that it’s important to look at the amount of sugar in the ingredients.

They also say that some non-alcoholic beverages on the grocery store shelves can contain trace amounts of alcohol.

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