New research shows that taking part in Dry January – abstaining from alcohol for a month – helps people gain more control over their drinking, have more energy, have better skin and lose weight. They also report drinking less water months later. The study was conducted with more than 800 people who participated in Dry January in 2018. The results show that Dry January participants still drink less in August. They reported that:
* drinking days decreased on average from 4.3 to 3.3 per week;
* units consumed per drinking day decreased on average from 8.6 to 7.1;
* the frequency of intoxication decreased from 3.4 per month to an average of 2.1 per month.
The researcher said:"Simply not drinking alcohol for a month will help people drink less in the long run:In August, people report one extra dry day per week, but there are also significant immediate benefits:nine out of ten people save money, seven in ten sleep better and three in five lose weight.
“Interestingly, these changes in alcohol consumption were also observed in the participants who failed to remain alcohol-free for the entire month – although they are a bit smaller. This shows that there are real benefits to just trying to complete.”
The survey showed that:
93% of participants felt a sense of success;
88% had saved money;
82% think more about their relationship with alcohol;
80% feel more in control of their drinking;
76% have learned more about when and why they drink;
71% realized they don't need a drink to enjoy themselves;
70% generally had better health;
71% had slept better;
67% had more energy;
58% had lost weight;
57% had better concentration;
54% had better skin.
The findings come from three self-completed online surveys:2,821 when registering for Dry January; 1,715 in the first week of February; and 816 participants in August.
