Is Dry January 2025 a good idea?
Tips, benefits, and answers for how to stop drinking in the New Year
The time has come for Dry January 2025, a season in which an estimated 40 million people or more will attempt to give up alcohol for the next 31 days.
Of those 40 million, give or take, who attempt Dry January, studies suggest that 25 percent will ultimately succeed, seeing it through to the end of the month.
Translated: nearly 10 million Americans who typically drink during the month won't consume any alcohol this January.
The trend and experiment makes those of us who give up alcohol full-time, as a life choice, experts, and so, now is a good time, on the eve of the New Year and Dry January, for questions and answers.
We discuss the pros and cons of Dry January in this week's new episode of A Little Crazy with David Magee podcast that's now available. Listen (or watch) here!
Meanwhile, on with some of the questions and answer from the podcast episode:
Is Dry January a good idea?
It depends. For moderate heavy to heavy drinkers, those consuming 28 alcohol drinks or more per week, according to standard unit measurements, Dry January may not be a good idea. Stopping drinking larger quantities will frequently cause withdrawal symptoms, which can speed up heart rate and impact mood, among many other symptoms. Help and support is usually required and at minimum recommended for heavy drinkers, and merely quitting or attempting to quit for one trending month isn't what's needed.
Heavy drinkers tempted to stop must engage support and help, not try to chase what amounts to a diet, to prove they can stop drinking. Of course, they can, for a period. But we find those who take this route often end up bingeing on more later, increasing consumption.
Example: Many years ago I decided to stop drinking in January because I'd become a moderate to heavy drinker. I did it, too, and not just in January. I did it for nearly one full year. And, it wasn't that hard, except I didn't enjoy it.
I had not changed my life beyond stopping alcohol, and I didn't answer many core issues of why I consumed it in the first place. I didn't change my habits -- grilling steaks with friends, for instance, didn't contain the same reward.
The next year, I consumed more, and that began my descent into full-fledged addiction.
Dry January is best suited for low to low-moderate to low-level alcohol drinkers who want to experiment with what life is like without alcohol, which provides immediate dopamine but then takes from us, making our bodies fatigued and dopey. It even impacts our mental health as it leaves our system, making us sad and longing for something (like another drink.)
How to stop drinking for Dry January?
Again, heavy drinkers need help and support, and there's a local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter nearby to check in with where many can help point the way to treatment if required, or daily support through meetings.
For those who are low to low-moderate drinkers, the best way to stop is recognize you'll need to adapt your habits. If you have a party on the agenda, who will you go with? What will you drink? If you have friends coming over, how can you change up the routine?
It's also helpful to begin a new routine with Dry January, not just cutting out alcohol. Wanting to run? Well, now's a good time. Wanting to knit? Well, know's a good time.
New healthy habits combine well together, altering our craving our instinct to reach for alcohol. And, break your habits of old — stay out of the kitchen at 5 p.m. if that’s the time you habitually poured yourself a glass. Eat at a different time, and cook differently, perhaps.
Equate eating at a favorite restaurant with wine? Don’t go. Try something new.
What is my spouse of partner isn't participating?
This is one of the greatest risks to a successful Dry January. Typically, spouses and partners have the same habit around alcohol, so if one stops and the other doesn't -- uh oh. It may be harder for you.
But don't let that stop you. Just understand that if they didn't make that commitment, stop worrying about them and change your habits, even if that means you won't dine the same as before or change social habits to adapt.
Be yourself and be strong, but know that it's not easy. That's why only 25 percent of those who attempt Dry January succeed.
For those who succeed, the reward is a taste of life that we all who don't drink get to experience. You will feel better and have more focus, energy, and clarity about yourself and life.
The alcohol culture has duped us; it's not so good, taking far more than it gives. It's a crutch, and our bodies are not wired for it. So try Dry January, or get help if something more is required.
It will change your life for the better.