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Dry run: How local and national attitudes toward alcohol are changing

By , Daily Memphian Updated: January 30, 2025 11:25 AM CT | Published: January 26, 2025 4:00 AM CT

Last year, 38-year-old local attorney Laura Gates decided to give up drinking alcohol for Dry January. 

She’s been sober ever since.

Each year, millions of Americans start the New Year sober for Dry January, an annual 31-day challenge in which participants don’t drink any alcohol. Launched in 2013 by a UK-based charity, it has since grown in popularity. 

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Dry January alcohol consumption Subscriber Only Health & Wellness

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Aisling Mäki

Aisling Mäki

Aisling Mäki has been writing about Memphis since she moved to the city more than 20 years ago. She’s worked for print, digital and broadcast news outlets, including Memphis Daily News and Action News 5 (WMC), as well as public relations agencies. Her work has earned awards from The Associated Press, Tennessee Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and Public Relations Society of America.


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