What Exactly Is ‘Dry January,’ And Do You Want To Try It Out?

This article is not health advice.

After overindulging in food and alcohol over the holiday season, it’s common for people to start the new year off with a diet. But there’s also a popular trend called “Dry January” in which people abstain from alcohol for the first month of the year.

There are numerous health benefits of abstaining from alcohol, including the ability to evaluate your relationship with alcohol.

What Is Dry January?

Dry January is a challenge or initiative that involves abstaining from alcohol for the entire month of January. It was coined and launched by Alcohol Change UK in 2013 to help adults reset their relationship with alcohol and form healthy boundaries to help them control their use. Because drinking is so normalized, it’s easy to overindulge in alcohol without even realizing its negative impact on your health and well-being. Dry January is an opportunity to take a step back and re-evaluate these health effects.

Health Benefits Of Dry January

Considering taking part in Dry January? Here are some benefits you may reap in the process.

Weight Loss

Many alcoholic beverages have a significant amount of calories and sugar, which can contribute to weight gain if you drink frequently. Cutting out alcohol is a simple and effective way to remove those extra calories from your diet, which could result in weight loss, fewer food cravings and better insulin resistance.

Improved Mood

While alcohol might help numb your feelings in the moment, it can actually repress underlying issues such as anxiety and depression that need addressing. Additionally, since alcohol is a depressant, long-term use may even worsen existing mental health conditions.

If you do find yourself drinking as a coping mechanism for difficult emotions or mental health issues, abstaining from alcohol for an entire month may help get you in the right mindset to address those things at the root. In fact, studies from sources such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show that alcohol abstinence can improve mental health in the long term.

Better Sleep And More Energy

While some people say alcohol makes them drowsy, there is strong evidence that alcohol has an overall negative impact on sleep quality, according to American Addiction Centers. When you take a break from moderate alcohol consumption, you may find you sleep more soundly through the night and wake up feeling more energized rather than lethargic and dehydrated.

Stronger Immune System And Liver Function

Binge drinking tends to suppress your immune system, with disease-fighting immune cells decreasing after an episode of heavy drinking. Since people are more likely to get sick during the winter, with many enclosed in small spaces and spending more time indoors, it’s important to keep your immune system working at its full potential. Additionally, your liver function tends to improve even after a few weeks of alcohol abstinence, according to a researcher at the University of York.

The Dangers Of Drinking Alcohol (Even In Moderation)

Because it’s so normalized, drinking alcohol in moderation might seem harmless to many. However, experts say no amount of alcohol is considered 100 percent safe. In fact, even just one drink could have negative impacts on overall health and well-being. Some risks associated with drinking include:

• Heart problems
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Liver disease
• Pancreatic disease
• Cancer
• Immune system problems
• Dementia
• High blood sugar
• Obesity
• Cancer
• Fetal development and birth issues in pregnant people
• Adverse interactions with certain medications

If you’re concerned about these health risks as a result of your drinking habits, visit your doctor or schedule a telehealth appointment with a medical professional. If you are prescribed medication that treats alcohol dependency, GoodRx can help you compare prices and get the most affordable option.

What Is The Sober Curious Movement?

Going a step further than Dry January, some people choose to participate in the Sober Curious Movement, which focuses on cultivating awareness around your drinking patterns and habits. It’s ideal for those who aren’t battling addiction or dependence on alcohol, but still drink socially and would like to decrease the amount of alcohol they consume.

The “sober curious” approach originated in 2018 when Ruby Warrington published the book “Sober Curious” and introduced the idea of evaluating and understanding one’s relationship with alcohol. Similar concepts have been around for decades, including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but being “sober curious” focuses more on awareness rather than abstinence.

What Treatments Are Available For Alcohol Addiction?

If you or someone you know lives with alcohol addiction or substance abuse, several treatments are available, including detoxification, counseling and medications. Health care providers often recommend medications along with counseling. Examples of recommended medications include naltrexone (Vivitrol, Revia), acamprosate (Campral) and disulfiram (Antabuse).

If your doctor prescribes medication to help support your sobriety, GoodRx can help you compare prescription prices and provide affordable options. Simply enter the name of your prescription to compare prices and search for any free available coupons on that medication. Then, show your coupon to the pharmacy to save up to 80 percent on the regular retail price.

Download the GoodRx app or use the drug search tool on GoodRx.com to find the lowest price for your prescriptions.