Dry January: why some choose to give up drinking after New Year's Eve

Nearly eleven years after its conception, Dry January still holds importance in the UK - but why do some shun booze on January 1st?

Some will turn away from alcohol on January 1st.

Photo by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash

People take part in dry January for several reasons, including looking after their well-being, starting the new year fresh and, for some, cutting down their alcohol consumption in general.

Dry January, headed by Alcohol Change UK, aims to reduce alcohol harm in the country - stating on its website that 31 days sober will come with many benefits.

"From better sleep and a mental health boost to saving money and time - there's a whole lot to gain this Dry January," the website reads.

Some credit the annual event with their sobriety overall - with the post-Christmas challenge contributing to lower levels of drinking, amongst other bonuses.

Research suggests that "six to eight months after Dry January, the proportion of participants drinking at harmful levels decreased by about 50%", also speculating the month allows people to "reset" their relationship with alcohol.

There are many health benefits to giving up drinking - even for a short while

Photo by Wil Stewart on Unsplash

Michael Shanley said of the annual event: "the mental clarity was unreal, I felt more focused, and present, and my sleep quality improved significantly."

"Waking up without a hangover became a game-changer; my mornings were filled with energy and productivity."

On top of this, Michael found himself feeling better even after he woke up.

"Physically, my skin was clear, and I shed a few pounds ethically," he added.

As well as these health benefits, the month has led to some finding that drinking is not the most important thing for their social lives.

"Socially, I realized I could have a great time without relying on alcohol as a social lubricant; it was liberating," Michael said.

Despite heavy-drinking stereotypes, UK alcohol consumption isn't as it has always been -NHS data from 2021 shows that over 20% of 25-34 year-olds don't drink, or hadn't in the past year.

Dry January is an annual event in the UK

Photo by Fred Moon on Unsplash

In January 2022, "85,742 people signed up for the first time" to the yearly sober challenge - and although this was a smaller number than 2021, the "returners" took the number of participants to over 131,000.

2023 had an incredible 175,000 participants for the 10th anniversary, but 2024 may continue to see a rise.

"A month of sobriety not only improved my well-being but also reshaped my perspective on how I navigate life's highs and lows," Michael concluded.

2024's Dry January hopes to support 200,000 individuals who are shelving the bottles in favour of sobriety.

However, the no-alcohol month isn't for everyone - with some Twitter users branding those turning their back on booze as "smug" or condemning the month as "piling on the misery" of the year.

Although the event lasts for just 31 days, "just four weeks without a drink can be enough to start lowering both blood pressure and heart rate", which may contribute to people choosing to take part in the event.