For one month a year, thousands of New Zealanders give up the booze, spending the entirety of July alcohol-free. But how easy is Dry July, and does it really have an effect on your health and wellbeing? Ethan Griffiths finds out.
For the first time in his life, Kalvin Field ordered an orange juice while out for dinner last week.
"It felt pretty weird," the 35-year-old said.
The Whanganui man is one of the thousands of New Zealanders taking part in Dry July, giving up booze altogether for 30 days - the longest period alcohol-free since he began drinking as a teenager.
"It just came out of nowhere. Me and a mate thought we'd do it. I haven't had a dry month in 18-odd years, it's a thing for me to see if I can actually do it."
The concept for Dry July originally came out of Australia back in 2008. As the story goes, three mates walked into a pub and came out promising each other to abstain from alcohol for a month.
They planned to raise $3000 for a new TV for their local hospital's waiting room but ended up reaching a total of more than $250,000.
Since reaching New Zealand in 2012, Dry July has inspired more than 37,000 Kiwis to go dry, raising $5.1 million for those affected by cancer, and funding more than 170 projects across the country.
Field says that while getting involved has huge benefits to the community, it also acts as something of a personal challenge.
"It hasn't actually been terribly difficult to be honest, just really different," Field explained.
"It's just a matter of changing my orders at dinners and things. It's a bit different, but ultimately I've taken a lot from the change."
Part of going dry has meant exploring a whole new diverse world of drinks. Instead of just ordering a pint, Field has branched out to try newer options.
"I've tried quite a few of the zero per cent beers, but I've also tried Kombucha just for something different. I've probably substituted it with a few extra lollies here and there too."
"It's not difficult as such, I definitely don't need the alcohol, but when the alcohol is around it makes it easier when you're socialising and things."
The benefits of giving up the drink aren't small either.
Field says that just 16 days into the challenge, he's finding himself sleeping much better and waking up refreshed.
"I'm only half-way through but I'm certainly feeling it. I'm getting a good eight hours and feel better during the day - that'd be the biggest thing."
According to dietician Emma Verhoek, the benefits of giving up the drink can be significant.
Verhoek is the owner of Nutrition Matters, a Whanganui-based nutrition and diet consultancy.
"The thing I find with alcohol is that it's actually quite high in energy. But while it's high in energy, it doesn't provide any great nutrition," Verhoek explained.
That excess energy from drinking can make sleeping more difficult, she said.
"Although sometimes it seems alcohol has the ability to 'knock you out', it also inhibits your body's ability to sleep effectively and so you can often wake up feeling not well rested. Sleep is a critical part to healthy, balanced wellbeing."
"Alcohol is high energy and of low nutritional value so does not contribute to a healthy, balanced diet and it can therefore often replace eating nutrient dense foods that provide essential nutrients for our body and can lead to unintended weight gain."
There is also a common misconception that sugar in beer and wine proves the largest unhealthy aspect of alcohol, but Verhoek explained that it's more the alcohol makeup that is the real kicker to your health.
"Alcohol itself is high in energy and in fact usually quite low in sugar. In comparison, alcohol has 28KJ of energy per gram and sugar 16KJ of energy per gram. Although both high in energy, alcohol is in fact higher. Choosing a low-alcohol option is the better way to reduce your energy intake."
Not too late to take part
While the majority of Dry Julyers take part from July 1, you can still sign up throughout July, and go dry for the remainder of the month while raising money, too.
Donations are open until the end of August, and last year more than $1 million was raised.
Although Dry July participation is primarily about helping others whose lives have been affected by cancer, the individual health benefits can't be ignored.
Dr Nicki Jackson, executive director of New Zealand's Alcohol Healthwatch, says research papers by UK academic Dr Richard de Visser, around their Dry January event, shows it has grown in popularity every year.
Key points from the studies include: registering is the first step to success; getting support along the way helps, but isn't essential; give it a go as long as you can - the research shows even two weeks can show positive changes in wellbeing, but it's best if you can commit to the whole month.
Self-reported benefits include reduced drinking overall; greater self-confidence to refuse a drink; and better physical health and psychological wellbeing.
The majority of participants reported they saved money (63 per cent), experienced improved sleep (56 per cent), had more energy (52 per cent), and had better health overall (50 per cent).
Rebound effects of greater consumption in the month after abstinence were limited to a small portion of the population.
What's more, people get to reassess their relationship with alcohol, Jackson says.
"From a policy perspective, this is really important as people get a sudden awareness of the pervasiveness of advertising and marketing in our environment. Participants can really see how much our environment promotes drinking."
Dry July is also an important reminder alcohol causes seven types of cancer, she says.
"We have very low levels of awareness of the alcohol-cancer links.
"When New Zealanders are asked about the risk factors for bowel and breast cancer, less than 10 per cent will mention alcohol. Yet breast cancer is the leading cause of alcohol-related death in New Zealand women.
"We simply must do more to increase awareness and save lives."
For Field, the month-long experiment has led to a change in perspective, which he says will change his alcohol consumption moving forward.
"I think it will change how I drink in future. I've definitely in the past gone out and had plenty. At the moment I feel good for not going out doing that. I can sober drive, and it's definitely helped knowing I don't have to drink when I go out.
"It's quite an eye-opener."
Top tips to enjoy alcohol healthily
• Aim for at least two alcohol-free days per week.
• When drinking alcohol, be aware of serving sizes and how many standard drinks you are having. Wine equates to around 100ml, beer 300ml and spirits 30ml.
• Choose a low-alcohol beer rather than low carb if you want to reduce your energy intake.
• Make sure alcohol is not replacing nutritious food intake that provide essential nutrients in your diet.
• Reducing or limiting your alcohol intake can lower your risk of long-term health risks.
Source: Emma Verhoek, NZ Registered Dietician
