Dry January Offers a Reset—and Sometimes a Wake-Up Call—Behavioral Health Expert Says

• Asia Tabb
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  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
  Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
  
  Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
  
  Asia is extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to say hi if you see her out and about.

Pensive business woman sitting on the marble kitchen counter, holding a glass of wine and looking at wine bottle. Woman drinking alcohol, trying to relieve workplace stress.

AIRED; January 5, 2026

Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation. 

Dry January is more than just a social media trend or New Year’s challenge—it’s a chance for people to reset their relationship with alcohol, and for some, it can reveal deeper issues that might otherwise go unaddressed. That’s the perspective shared by Zach Whipperman, director of community outreach at Arkview Behavioral Health, during a recent conversation about why so many people are drawn to the month-long pause from drinking.

“January kind of breeds a natural motivation for reset,” Whipperman said, noting that after the holidays—a time often filled with social drinking and festive beverages—many people feel motivated to start the year with “new, more positive, healthy habits.” But while some enter Dry January simply to take a break and see what benefits it brings, others quickly realize it may be more challenging than they expected. “Sometimes people… find out it’s maybe not as easy as they thought,” he explained, and that’s where support can become important.

Whipperman also pointed out that drinking is deeply woven into social norms, particularly around the holidays. “It’s a very acceptable social thing… around holidays, they have these fancy special drinks,” he said, adding that what begins as socially accepted consumption can escalate, leading to poor judgment or health risks. For some individuals, the hesitation or intimidation they feel when considering Dry January may be a sign of a larger concern. “If someone may feel that it’s intimidating or it’s even a struggle to participate… I think that’s a sign to a bigger problem in a lot of situations,” he said.

Participating in Dry January, Whipperman noted, also opens the door for important conversations about personal habits and relationships with alcohol. There can be stigma attached to acknowledging a struggle with alcohol, he said, with some people worrying about judgment from family, friends, or employers. But addressing these concerns openly can be a key step toward positive change.

For those committed to sticking with Dry January, Whipperman offered practical advice: avoid people, places, and things that may tempt them to drink, and lean on supportive relationships. “Be with people… that have similar goals,” he suggested, and find alternative activities that promote wellness. He also emphasized the value of simply reaching out when cravings hit. “Everybody has the most powerful tool at their disposal… their phone,” he said. “You can always call someone… friends and family… that’s the biggest support that I think everybody overlooks.”

Whether taken on as a health experiment, a break, or the start of a larger journey, Dry January can provide insight into one’s habits and support connections that lead to lasting benefits.