It’s a new year! Everyone is making goals, feeling ambitious, and adopting that “new year, new me” mindset. But among all the goals you may or may not have already set for the next 12 months, here is one to consider:

A month without alcohol.

The first modern “Dry January” was in 2013 when the organization Alcohol Change UK started the movement. To try and measure the results of giving up alcohol for a month, Dr. Richard de Visser from the University of Sussex surveyed many of those participating, and found many people continued to reduce their drinking throughout the rest of the year. 

Although you can choose to give up alcohol any month of the year, most people pick January to recover from the overindulgence that can happen during the holiday season.

But could giving up alcohol for a short time really make a difference in your life?

Yes! It actually can.

Here are a few reasons to participate.

Health benefits.

The same researcher, Dr. Richard de Visser, found even more benefits from not drinking during January. In 2018, he surveyed more than 800 people to see if their health improved at all. He found that most people slept better, had more energy, lost weight, had better concentration, and better skin.

Saved money.

A 2024 Lending Tree study found Americans spend an average of $82 a month on alcoholic beverages. Millennials, those with young children and teens, and those who earn six-figures spend more than $100 a month on booze.

Even by cutting out alcohol for one month, you might save about $82! That money could go toward groceries, bills, or even a savings account.

Learn about your relationship with alcohol.

You often don’t know what you have until it’s gone. When you cut out alcohol for a month, you can start to see when you want it, why you want it, and how distracting the desire for it becomes.

By observing your relationship with drinking, you can identify the reasons why you do it and any ways to reduce it.

Tips to succeed at Dry January.

For some it may not be easy to cut out alcohol for a whole month, but there are some tips to help you keep at it.

Here are a few things to try:

• Take the challenge with a friend or family member who can keep you accountable and on track. It’s easier to avoid social drinking when everyone else is also avoiding it. 
• Swap your favorite alcoholic drink with a different, similar tasting non-alcoholic beverage.
• Remove the temptation to drink by suggesting other places to meet instead of the bar when you go out with friends. It also might help to get rid of any alcohol in your home during the challenge.
• Fill your schedule with activities that don’t involve drinking. Try a new exercise class, have a game night, indulge in a new hobby that is on your resolutions list. Keep busy doing activities that don’t typically involve a drink.

While Dry January is just a challenge, making better health habits is something to work at all year long. Start the year off right with a visit to your primary care provider. Together, you can set goals to help you live your healthiest life.