January is a fresh start for many people, as the beginning of the new year sparks inspiration and change. Gyms fill up, and individuals attempt to become the best versions of themselves for the new year.
However, for some, the new year means taking a month off from drinking alcohol and participating in the popular health challenge: Dry January.
Dry January was trademarked in 2013 by the organization Alcohol Change UK to combat the harm and negative effects of alcohol, according to NPR. Thirteen years later, the Dry January app has more than 1 million downloads.
Drive Research states one in three people, about 33%, participated in Dry January in 2025, with 72% completing the challenge and one in five people quitting the first or second week of the month.
For several Ohio University Bobcats and locals, Athens can be a popular place to enjoy an alcoholic drink. With plenty of bars to choose from down Court Street, looking for a place to settle their stress and connect with friends is easy.
According to OU, several students “understand the risks involved in drinking,” with 63% saying “five or more drinks in one night is dangerous” and 70% “have not allowed alcohol use to interfere with their academic performance.”
While 73% of students drink 0 to 2 times per week, the OU Alcohol and Drug Survey found some students are taking the month of January to detox.
Lesia Leskovska, a junior studying multimedia, is participating in Dry January this year. Leskovska said her boyfriend and friend convinced her to participate, and she wanted to feel more spiritually aligned.
“I also know that alcohol and other stuff isn't really good for you,” Leskovska said. “I feel like I went overboard last semester. So I'm trying to kind of cut back.”
Giving up alcohol was not an issue for Leskovska, as she said she is an introvert and does not explore the bar scene too often. Leskovska said this is her first year participating in Dry January, and she has seen a small difference in her health thus far, noticing an increase in energy throughout the day.
Leskovska said the challenge is beneficial for her health, as she is a mixed martial arts fighter. She is trying to go on a cut and believes eliminating the liquid calories will help her lose weight.
“I feel better,” Leskovska said. “I mean, you don't feel so slumped. You don't have a hangover. I feel like it's better for my liver to not be constantly consuming alcohol.”
Leskovska is also trying to eat healthier and walk more places. She said last semester, she took the shuttle to travel around Athens, but this semester her goal is to exercise often.
Leskovska acknowledged the drinking culture in Athens and said it is a tradition for students to go out and drink alcohol, especially if part of a friend group with 21-year-old students.
Riley Crowe, a freshman studying early childhood education, is not participating in Dry January, but understands why people want to detox, especially after some of the parties in October and December.
“A lot of people drink for Thanksgiving, and then December … I feel like it's a big drinking month,” Crowe said. “I feel like it's a great detox to do after such heavy months where a lot of people are going out and drinking all the time.”
Crowe decided against Dry January because she feels her relationship with alcohol is healthy. Crowe said she would be open to the idea in the future, if her new year’s resolution was to exercise often.
“I don’t really drink all that much, so I don’t think it’s something that I personally need to do,” Crowe said. “It doesn’t impact any of my goals for this year.”
Kellyn Hickle, a bartender at The Side Bar in Athens, said business is normal so far in January.
Hickle started working at Side Bar in June 2024, the month the bar opened. Hickle said the bar has regulars come in frequently, but for the most part business is picking up since students and professors returned from winter break.
“I think people definitely haven’t been drinking as much this year,” Hickle said. “A lot of mocktails have been made (and) coffee and tea.”
For Bobcats who decided to take a short break from drinking alcohol this January, they might be starting off the year on a strong and healthy note.
