Dry January, as the name suggests, is celebrated in January every year. This month of avoiding alcohol is a public health campaign that is practiced across America and European countries. Dry January aims to encourage people to stop drinking anything alcoholic for a month and aims for people to be more aware of their drinking habits, manage their alcohol consumption, and develop a healthier relationship with it. Many people around the world choose to observe Dry January for health reasons, to manage their drinking habits, reset their drinking, and feel more in control of their alcohol intake.

History of Dry January

While the name “Dry January” is fairly recent, the idea of setting a month aside to abstain from alcohol has been around as far back as the 1940s. At the time, the Finnish government introduced “Sober January” as part of the country’s war efforts.Dry January does not aim to encourage teetotalism, which is the total personal abstinence from alcoholic beverages. The campaign only lasts a month, and while a small percentage of people stay abstinent, most participants return to drinking after the month. However, the majority of participants find themselves able to manage their drinking better after a month of abstinence.While alcohol does play an important social role in many cultures across the world, it is a depressant that acts like a drug. In small quantities, it reduces anxiety and makes it easy for people to socialize. However, as the body adjusts to the alcohol, larger quantities are required to produce the same effect. In larger quantities, alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning, unconsciousness, and even death. Most people resort to harmful drinking episodes during difficult life periods, and this drinking is exacerbated if they already have an established drinking habit.For those who recognize that their drinking habit is veering into the territory of being harmful and out of control, Dry January is an excellent opportunity to reset their drinking habits. During this month people can see how their lives can be without alcohol and take the time to build healthier coping mechanisms for day-to-day difficulties and celebrations. This empowers them to reserve their drinking for occasions and reign in the desire for a drink when situations become difficult to process.

Dry January timeline

1942
The Finnish Introduce Sober January

As part of their war effort, the Finnish government introduces the idea of ‘Sober January.’

2010
Nicole Brodeur Writes About Dry January

A writer at the Seattle Times, Brodeur writes an article and uses the term ‘Dry January,’ which gains popularity.

2014
Dry January Gets Trademarked

A charity called Alcohol Concern based in the U.K. registers Dry January as a trademark.

2015
Alcohol Concern Works With Public Health England

The Dry January campaign becomes a part of the government’s official health program, and Alcohol Concern works with Public Health England to promote the campaign.

Dry January FAQs

Is Dry January a good idea?

Yes, because Dry January helps you drink healthier all year.

Does Dry January help the liver?

Yes. A month of no drinking can help reduce alcohol-induced inflammation of the liver.

Does a month off from alcohol really help?

People report being able to manage their alcohol intake better after a month without it and drink less in the long term.

How to Observe Dry January

  1. Give away all your alcohol

    You cannot drink if you do not have any alcohol! One of the easiest ways to participate in Dry January is to give away your alcohol or use whatever is left in your cooking before January.

  2. Find a great overnight cafè

    When you head out to a pub, you are just looking for a place to socialize, which happens to have alcohol. Pick out a great overnight cafè that you can hang out at and you will get rid of temptation.

  3. Tell everyone you know

    You cannot build a habit without help. Let everyone you hang out with know that you are abstaining and accept their support and encouragement.

5 Facts About Dry January That Will Surprise You

  1. In the beginning, 17,000 people participated

    17,000 Britons participated in Alcohol Concern’s first campaign in 2014.

  2. Some countries have Dry February

    In countries like the Czech Republic and Canada, the campaign is for Dry February instead of Dry January.

  3. 4% of people stopped drinking altogether

    In a study conducted by the University of Sussex, the researchers found that 4% of people were able to stay abstinent even after Dry January was over.

  4. The number of participants is increasing

    In America, the number of adults participating in the campaign in 2021 was 13%, a step up from 11% of the years before.

  5. Dry January was launched in Switzerland

    In 2021, a coalition of non-governmental organizations came together to organize the campaign for Dry January in Switzerland, including Blue Cross Switzerland.

Why Dry January is Important

  1. We want to be healthier

    We all know that drinking too much is not the greatest idea. We think that abstinence for a short time is a great way to get healthier.

  2. We need a break

    The holidays are a busy time for socializing, eating, and drinking. We need a break from the rich food, people, and the large quantities of alcohol!

  3. We want to be more aware

    We do not want to drink indiscriminately. We want to be conscious of how much we drink, and when we drink. This allows for better control.

Dry January dates

Year Date Day
2023 January 2 Monday
2024 January 1 Monday
2025 January 1 Wednesday
2026 January 1 Thursday
2026 January 1 Friday
National Hangover Day
Global Family Day
Polar Bear Plunge Day
Solemnity of Mary
Universal Hour of Peace
Commitment Day
Euro Day
Z Day
Ellis Island Day
Apple Gifting Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
Public Domain Day
World Day of Peace
Copyright Law Day
New Year's Day
National Bloody Mary Day
Triumph of the Revolution
Rose Bowl Game
International Public Domain Day
National First-Foot Day
Sudan Independence Day
Tournament of Roses Parade
Haiti Independence Day
Mummer's Parade
Ring a Bell Day
National Shepherd Day
Junkanoo
Poppy's Birthday
George Washington Carver's Birthday
Morris Chestnut's Birthday
Diet Resolution Week
Celebration of Life Week
National Silent Record Week
New Year’s Resolutions Week
National Time Consciousness Week
The World Series of Beer Pong
National Blood Donor Month
​National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Train Your Dog Month
​Thyroid Awareness Month
Unchain a Dog Month
National Soup Month
National Mentoring Month
National Hobby Month
Walk Your Dog Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
National Sunday Supper Month
National Fibre Focus Month
National Polka Music Month
International Brain Teaser Month
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
International Wayfinding Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
Celebration Of Life Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
Financial Wellness Month
International Creativity Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get Organized Month
International Child Centered Divorce Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Eye Care Month
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
National Skating Month
Artichoke and Asparagus Month
National Braille Literacy Month
Rising Star Month
National Poverty in America Awareness Month
Ginuary
Poverty Awareness Month
International Quality of Life Month
National Book Blitz Month
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
National Staying Healthy Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
Be Kind To Food Servers Month
National Meat Month
Shape Up US Month
Dry January
Manuary
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Stalking Awareness Month
National Radon Action Month
National CBD Month
Clap 4 Health Month
Prune Breakfast Month
Self-Love Month
Receding Gums Awareness Month
Little Things Mental Health Campaign
Apple and Apricot Month
START Child Health campaign
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Be On-Purpose Month
National Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
International Change Your Stars Month
National Menudo Month
International Wealth Mentality Month
Retail Bakers Month
National Conscience Month
Tubers and Dried Fruit Month
National Black Diamond Month
National Personal Trainer Awareness Month
Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month
National Wheat Bread Month
Veganuary
Get Ireland Active
National Bath Safety Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Thank You Month
Teen Driving Awareness Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month