What does the “Dry January” challenge encourage people to give up? Alcohol.
Dry January asks participants to abstain from alcoholic drinks throughout January. It is presented as a month-long reset: people track their drinking, experiment with alcohol-free alternatives and consider how alcohol affects sleep, mood, spending and social habits. The challenge does not mean giving up caffeine, sugar or meat.
The campaign was formalized in the United Kingdom by Alcohol Concern, now known as Alcohol Change UK, in 2013. The phrase “Dry January” became a registered trademark of Alcohol Change UK in 2014. The idea grew from people independently taking a month away from alcohol, including Emily Robinson, who stopped drinking in January 2011 while training for a half-marathon.
A common mix-up is treating Dry January as a permanent pledge or a medical treatment. It is normally a voluntary, time-limited challenge, although some participants use it to reassess their longer-term drinking. People who drink heavily or may experience withdrawal should seek medical advice before stopping suddenly.