NORFOLK, Va. — The champagne bottles are empty post-New Year’s Eve celebrations, and for some, that will be the last time they drink until February 1. That’s because thousands are once again participating in Dry January.
By putting down the bottle, even just for a month, you could be improving your health for the rest of the year.
The challenge to stop drinking for 31 days first started in 2013 and it's become a trend that surged in popularity in recent years, likely in large part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic: in 2022, 19% of adults 21 and older participated in Dry January, according to a poll by Morning Consult. The year before, only 6% participated.
Experts said there’s clear evidence that taking a break from booze can help your body and your mind.
A University of Sussex study of more than 800 British participants found that six months after the 2018 challenge, 80% said they felt more in control of their drinking. Slightly more said they thought more deeply about their relationship with alcohol, and most — 93% — felt a sense of accomplishment.
In that same study, 71% said they slept better and 67% said they had more energy. A little more than half reported losing weight and having better skin.
Other benefits are more than just skin-deep.
In one smaller study, researchers recruited 94 men and women who gave up alcohol for one month, comparing them with a control group of 47 others who kept drinking. The results for the "dry" group were promising — their blood pressure dropped, they lost weight, and researchers noted improved insulin sensitivity and reduced cancer-related growth factors.
Not to mention, cutting back on trips to the liquor store can save you some money.
But while the campaign can be helpful for light or moderate drinkers, it's not for everyone. Heavy drinkers can experience dangerous or even deadly alcohol withdrawal symptoms and may need help from a professional to safely stop drinking.
Some people who take a break from alcohol find themselves overdoing it afterward, much like what can happen after you finish a strict diet.
Reach out to your doctor or a rehab facility if you need help beating addiction.