Correspondents Will Ganss and Dr Darien Sutton discuss Dry January on 'GMA' and 'harm caused by alcohol'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The cover story for the January 6 episode of 'Good Morning America' dealt with 'Dry January,' with ABC News correspondent Will Ganss and medical correspondent Dr Darien Sutton joining in to report on the financial and health benefits of the challenge.

According to Time Magazine, 'Dry January' is "a month-long feat to be sober" in which 15% of adults in the United States had participated back in 2023.

The challenge was officially launched back in 2013 as a campaign by 'Alcohol Change UK,' a charity organization that "focuses on reducing the harm caused by alcohol in society."

Will Ganss reports on a woman saving $48,000 over alcohol

"An average American spends around $600 a year on alcohol," stated Ganss before reporting on Casey McGuire Davidson, a self-described red wine girl who reaped massive benefits after getting on the 'Dry January' bandwagon back in 2017.

The results were noticeable at the end of the month, as Davidson shared, "Our household was a lot more peaceful. I was less irritated… felt less overwhelmed."

On top of that, she reportedly saved $550 that month, which would have otherwise been spent on alcohol.

Davidson left drinking since and reportedly discovered a marked improvement in her physical, mental and financial well-being.

Tracking her finances with the help of an app, she stated, "I have saved over $48,000 on alcohol."

"Experts say those seemingly small lifestyle changes can make for major money moves," stated Ganss in his piece.

Investing some of her savings, Davidson has opted to be a sobriety coach to help other women make similar changes if they so wish.

What are the health benefits of 'Dry January'?

Better quality sleep is one of the primary health benefits of not drinking alcohol for a month, stated Dr Sutton.

"Alcohol can disrupt your REM sleep. It can also cause disruption overall, increasing your wakefulness in the middle of the night. And when you stop it you get better quality sleep and more restorative sleep," he explained.

Sutton pointed out weight loss next, saying, "Alcohol is empty calories. A glass of beer or wine can range from 120 to 150 calories, a mixed drink even more with added sugar. And it doesn't have any nutritional benefits."

Cutting out alcohol can thus help lower blood pressure and improve heart health, he continued. Additional benefits that Sutton pointed out include lower cholesterol, better digestion and reduction in cancer biomarkers.