The idea of rebranding Dry July as Damp July is a terrible idea, says Lotta Dann. Yes, there may be some stats that show alcohol consumption is on the decline in NZ, but we also have some very disturbing and worrying statistics and behaviours to confront…
I can’t believe that anyone would have a crack at Dry July, claiming it’s irrelevant and “might not reflect where consulting adults are at any more in Aotearoa”. But that is what I read this week in the opinion piece ‘‘Why Dry July Might Not Be So Relevant Anymore… And That’s Not a Bad Thing’: Are More Kiwi’s Embracing a ‘Damp July’ Instead?’ , along with the statement that Kiwis have developed a more “nuanced, flexible and curious approach” to alcohol that renders a month like Dry July pointless.
Let me refute that claim.
Dry July is the only month of the year when Kiwis are encouraged not to drink alcohol, in the name of cancer support. All of the other months (and still in July tbh), we are saturated with the opposite. Our physical and online spaces are literally groaning under the weight of positive alcohol reinforcement – messages, images, articles, reviews, and promotions, all encouraging us to imbibe. “Drink alcohol and your life will be better” the messages say. “Drink alcohol and you’ll be cool. Drink alcohol and you’ll fit in with your friends. Drink alcohol and your holiday will be enhanced. Drink alcohol and your summer will be enhanced. Drink alcohol and any human emotion or experience you are going through will be enhanced.”
Yes, there may be statistics (joyfully touted by the liquor industry) to show that overall, Kiwi’s alcohol consumption is down. But here’s some more. Alcohol causes around 900 deaths, 30,000 hospitalisations and 130,000 ACC claims in New Zealand every year. Alcohol is far and away our most problematic drug, it causes seven types of cancer and costs over $9 billion in harm every year.
But sure, let’s critique a fundraiser that dares to suggest taking one month off the sauce to raise some money for charity.
It’s not so much the critique that’s the problem, it’s the view that because of the growing ‘sober curious’ movement and all the people drinking delicious new non-alcoholic offerings, we don’t need to worry any more. We don’t need to worry because we’re all making “better” more “nuanced” decisions. We’re all alternating our drinks of an evening, being all mindful and moderate.
Newsflash. Alcohol is a drug, it alters brain chemistry which means it is addictive. Many people get addicted and cannot, despite their best efforts, moderate. We might look like we’re doing ok when you encounter us out and about, but behind the scenes we’re struggling.
We’re having a few quiet drinks with everyone else at the bar then buying a bottle on the way home because we can’t stop.
We’re deciding not to drink until the weekend but caving early and downing skinfuls at home when no-one’s watching.
We’re constantly waking up at 3am overwhelmed with guilty thoughts, pounding heads, sick guts.
We’re struggling through our days with hangovers, crippling anxiety, emotional disconnection.
Is Dry July a good thing? Yes. It prompts people to take a break. It promotes reflection and discussion. It raises our awareness of the harms around alcohol – particularly the cancer link which 4 out of 5 New Zealanders are unaware of.
Dry July is one month that outwardly promotes a world where we don’t routinely all just guzzle booze.
One month of the year where we stay sober no matter what. One month when we sit in the discomfort after a tricky work meeting, let the tears fall and don’t sooth them away with wine, have honest conversations and remember every detail, knowing that every word was grounded in truth, not loose-lipped talk from having downed a liquid drug.
One month of the year when you can comfortably say ‘no thanks’ to a drink without being hassled or judged (alcohol is the one drug that we are judged for NOT taking, it’s crazy).
The questions was asked; “What happens on August 1 for those who have taken the month off?” I can tell you.
Some people realise that alcohol has been holding them back and they want to keep going without. Some get clarity about some underlying issues they need to work on – clarity that only came from having an extended period of time with a clear head without their brain chemistry being altered. Some go back to drinking but at a reduced rate and with a keen eye on their habit. Others go back to drinking exactly as they were before. As has been noted – there’s no right or wrong way to approach drinking. But normalising a month of abstinence can only be a good thing. Certainly if we’re going to address the huge amounts of harm that is caused every year.
So please, no rebranding Dry July as ‘Damp July’. It’s is not something we need at all.
