Around 15.5 million people planned to take part in Dry January and one in five want to reduce how much they drink annually, according to research from Alcohol Change UK.
Alcohol Change polling research from November 2024 discovered a surge in people planning to take part in 2025, which is a 7% increase from 2024.
Through their annual Try Dry programme, Alcohol Change has supported more than one million people change their relationship with alcohol and go alcohol-free for the month of January.
Alcohol Change UK CEO Dr Richard Piper said: “As more of us come to terms with the centre-stage role that alcohol is playing in our lives, it’s positive that so many people were seemingly ready to embrace the Dry January challenge to get 2025 off to a healthier, positive start. “
On average, six months after taking part in the Dry January programme, 70% of participants are still drinking less alcohol, while experiencing significantly improved wellbeing and lower alcohol health risks.
In the last five years the number of people planning an alcohol-free January has doubled, from 4.2 million in 2019 to 8.5 million in 2024, according to the Alcohol Change research.
Of those who take part in Dry January, 70% sleep better, 86% save money (an average of £118 per month), and 65% notice improved health overall.
Sean Willers, 36, who did Dry January in 2023, said: “The Dry January challenge wasn’t easy for me, I didn’t realise how much of my identity and my life was tied up in drinking.
“It showed me that I was capable of change, even if it was uncomfortable at first. It planted the seed, and eventually, I made the decision to quit for good.
“A few years later I am in the best shape of my life, both physically and mentally.
“Getting here hasn’t required some remarkable, bolt-out-of-the-blue change in lifestyle or me suddenly finding unbreakable resolve.
“It has been a steady process that was, in truth, far easier than I imagined and built on two things – exercise and alcohol reduction.”
Alcohol Change’s Try Dry app is available year round providing free tools and a safe space via an online community for anyone wanting to change their relationship with alcohol.
The app helps users manage their drinking with features which include current drink score, unit consumption, calories, and money saved.
Since 2019, more than one million people have downloaded the app with active users in 184 countries worldwide, to help individuals track their drinking and reset their relationship with alcohol.
Dr Piper said: “Importantly, the Dry January challenge isn’t about stopping drinking forever.
“It’s about taking back control of your drinking. Just trying to cut back, without first having a proper break of a month, doesn’t let your habits reset and is much harder.”
Currently, more than 10 million people drink in ways that affect our health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Alcohol Change research reflects a growing understanding that alcohol is negatively impacting our daily lives.
Over a third (34%) of people who have drunk alcohol think it has negative effects on their physical health, 30% think it negatively affects their sleep, and a quarter (24%) their mental health.
Dr Piper said: “The truth is that alcohol harm affects millions of us, with its impact on individuals rippling out to our families, friends, communities and broader society.
“We’re not anti-alcohol. We are against the harm that it causes.”
Dr Piper added that alcohol harm is often used to describe any time when alcohol is negatively impacting people’s lives or the lives of those around us.
Despite alcohol-related problems becoming more common, especially post-Covid, there is a shift in the perception of alcohol specifically amongst the younger demographics.
Dr Piper said: “We are seeing a growing acceptance particularly among younger generations that alcohol is optional, not essential or part of our lives.
“Those aged 16-24 are least likely to drink than any other age group, pointing to a decline in the popularity of drinking among young people, while those aged 55-64 are most likely to drink.”
As more people are keen to improve their physical and mental health over the coming year, according to Alcohol Change, taking a break or reducing alcohol consumption can help on both counts.
Three in ten of people who have drunk alcohol in the last six months said they’ve become more concerned about the long-term damage that their drinking of alcohol might be doing to them.
While one in five (21%) who have ever drunk have also felt regret about something they did.
Looking ahead, upcoming Alcohol Change challenges include Sober Spring, a 93-day challenge between 20 March and 20 June, as well as Alcohol Awareness Week taking place in July.
Alcohol Change UK is a charity working towards a world free from the harm caused by alcohol with the fundamental aim of shifting drinking cultures.
It funds and commissions research, influences government policy, and ensures better support and treatment.
As well as delivering training to workplaces and local authorities, supporting millions annually, and tackling systemic cultural issues around alcohol such as sober shaming.
Head to https://alcoholchange.org.uk/ to stay up to date with Alcohol Change campaigns, challenges, and events.
Picture credit: Free to use from Pixabay
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