Dry January to start tomorrow as Scots gear up to ditch the booze for a month
Scots are gearing up to ditch the booze for a month as Dry January gets underway tomorrow. The 30-day challenge sees people put down the bottle for the first month of a new year.
The public health initiative was launched by Alcohol Change UK in 2013 and is going from strength to strength more than a decade later, growing in popularity each year.
Dry January encourages people to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January, which comes after many of us have overindulged during the festive season and could use a bit of a reset.
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The aim is to encourage people to think more carefully about their relationship with booze and raise awareness of the UK's problem with alcohol dependence.
“More of us are connecting the dots between the alcohol we drink and the impact it has on our health, wellbeing and quality of life," Dr Richard Piper, CEO at Alcohol Change UK, said.
"From poor sleep, headaches and hangovers, to spending more money than we’d like or struggling at work or in our relationships, our research provides a strong picture of the reasons why so many of us are ready to rethink our relationship with alcohol.”
While many people take part in Dry January after analysing their relationship with alcohol, others just wish to have a break from booze after what is more often than not a heavy festive period of Christmas parties, work dos, catch-ups, and nights out.
It is expected that 2025 will be the biggest year yet for Dry January, with nearly a third of British adults committing to the challenge. Alcohol Change UK estimates that 29 per cent of adults in the UK will take part - that's 15.5 million people.
Dry January broke records last year, the British Beer and Pub Association reported, with one in five Britons participating. And it is no wonder, as there are plenty of health benefits.
According to the group behind the health driver, Dry January can help with improved sleep, weight loss, better mood, and energy levels. It can also reduce the risk of disease, as alcohol can increase the chances of cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
And since alcohol can damage the digestive system and liver, a month without booze can help the liver cells recover and rejuvenate. On top of the health benefits, Dry January can help people save money too - which is handy after buying Christmas presents and weeks of festive celebrations.
More 'out there' consequences of laying off alcohol can also include an enhanced sense of taste, boosted erectile function, and slowing premature ageing, as outlined by health experts just last year.
The prospect of going teetotal may be daunting to some people, but Alcohol Change UK says that you can change a habit in three weeks. In short, if you power through, you may feel and see results sooner than you think.
Tips for signing up to Dry January include opting for non-alcoholic drinks like mocktails when out galivanting, keeping alcohol out of your house, and not feeling guilty if you slip up. You can always try again the next day.
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