By Bianca Wright
With an increase in staff parties, family gatherings and social events, people opt to drink more excessively throughout December.
As the festive period comes to an end and a new year is upon us, many Brits are choosing to start the year healthy and attempt to detox from alcohol in the Dry January challenge.
Who takes part and why
Alcohol Change UK is a charity that was first set up in 2013. Since then, it has seen a drastic increase in people signing up for the Dry January challenge.
In 2013, around 4,000 people took part. By January 2022, this figure had risen to an estimated 7.9 million participants.
Estimates suggest that over 17.5 million people are planning to take part in 2025/2026.
According to data from The Spirits Business, 32% of men are more likely to participate in Dry January compared to 26% of women.
Reports indicate that the reasons for this are that men are more likely to consume higher amounts of alcohol than women.
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The effects of alcohol on health
Intense consumption of alcohol can be extremely damaging to the body and the brain.
With people experiencing a decline in mental health – including increased anxiety and depression – the use of alcohol can worsen these issues by affecting cognitive function.
It slows reaction times and disrupts the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, increasing the likelihood of engaging in behaviours that a person would not normally consider.
The benefits of taking a break
Taking a break from alcohol can have extreme positive benefits on your health, even if it is for a short period of time.
Some of the benefits of going teetotal that people have experienced are an increase in energy, better sleeping habits and weight loss.
As alcohol carries high levels of sugar and calories, stopping drinking for a month can lead to weight loss of around 4lb.
On top of this, abstaining can create a clear complexion as alcohol dehydrates the body, which reduces skin cell turnover.
People who have taken a break from drinking in the Dry January challenge have reported feeling more energetic, improved concentration and less sleep disruption, which helps with fatigue and irritation throughout the day.
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Long-term health
Other benefits of reducing alcohol intake include improvement in the fatty tissue of the liver, allowing it time to repair any damage and reduce inflammation, which in turn decreases the risks of liver disease.
Alcohol also carries the risk of increased cancer risk in the breast, liver and cholesterol.
Taking a month’s break can reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and decrease insulin, which can help lower the risk of diabetes, a stroke and heart disease.
Financial gains of participating in Dry January
With the increase in the cost of living, alcohol prices have risen over the past five years.
Compared to pre-pandemic levels, prices have increased by around 28% to 30%. For example, the average pint now costs around £4.71.
Statistics show that stopping drinking could save the average drinker around £181 per month, while heavier drinkers could save drastically more.
Adam Peaker 
Carmela Calling