One of the most interesting initiatives to rethink the relationship with alcohol is Dry January (or Dry January, in English). The idea of not drinking a drop of alcohol for a short time came from an English woman who was preparing for a half marathon. She quickly realized her gains: she lost weight, started sleeping better, and gained enthusiasm for training. Such was the success of this individual experience that last year more than 200,000 people joined the 30-day target in the UK alone.
The challenge of abstinence no longer only arises in January. In different parts of the world, campaigns such as Sober October and Dry July have emerged, which offer the same thing. Initiatives like these drive behavior change because they encourage participants to get off “autopilot” and think about the frequency and motivation behind each drink consumed.
This reflection is at the origin of an increasingly popular movement: the “sober curious”. The term, coined by podcaster Ruby Warrington, asks a simple question: “Why do I drink”?
Sober Curious is a general movement that extends from people who prioritize their health to those who seek a more mindful and balanced relationship with drinks, without necessarily excluding them completely. The goal is to exchange automatic impulse for conscious choice. It is also a way of doing a mental and bodily “detox”.
Whatever the reason, a short period of abstinence can bring significant health gains. The most visible is the improvement in sleep quality. Alcohol disrupts the REM phase, disrupting your sleep and waking you up feeling tired.
In addition, there is a reduction in inflammation of the liver, resulting in an improvement in its function. This can be proven by a simple liver enzyme test, which often drops. Energy levels increase. And of course you save money.
In addition to physical gains, taking a mindful break from alcohol is an opportunity to observe how you feel while drinking and when you don’t. This is also an opportunity to review how you interact in social environments such as bars and restaurants without this “social lubricant.”
This 30-day interval allows you to realize if there are situations in your daily life that you almost automatically associate with consumption – what I call “using it as a crutch”. Because it is a temporary central nervous system depressant, alcohol is often used to relax in situations of stress, anxiety, or shyness. Identifying this trend is the first step in thinking about coping strategies that don’t include alcohol consumption, such as engaging in physical activity.
The temporary hiatus also serves as a warning sign about your relationship with alcohol. One of the reasons why many fail to meet the challenge is that with heavy current consumption, abrupt withdrawal can lead to withdrawal symptoms. This is an important indicator of dependence. In these cases, stopping consumption requires medical monitoring, given the risk of serious complications.
The results of Dry January confirm the benefits. A post-challenge survey carried out by Alcohol Change UK (responsible for the initiative) shows that 71% of participants reported sleeping better and 66% maintained lower alcohol consumption six months later.
Whether through a campaign or a personal decision, temporary abstinence can serve as a prism to visualize your relationship with alcohol and, who knows, pave the way for more balanced habits. Answer the question “why do you drink?” » this could be the first step towards a healthier 2026.
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