What it Dry January?
Dry January is a campaign designed to promote healthier drinking habits. The idea is to abstain from alcohol for the month of January.
The challenge isn’t just about removing alcohol from your life in January but rather having a deeper understanding of your relationship with alcohol. Many people enjoy the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle so much that they continue their habits throughout the year.
For 2025, the dry January campaign by Alcohol Change UK is:
What are the benefits of Dry January?
Mental – The reduction of alcohol can help to clear the mind, improving focus and clarity and can also help to reduce levels of anxiety.
Physical – Low to no alcohol helps improve overall general health. It helps to improve sleep, reduce blood pressure, increase energy levels, and even aid in weight loss. It can also reduce risk of diseases such as heart disease, liver problems and cancer.
Emotional – Abstaining from alcohol can increase self-esteem, improve your mood, and help to better relationships.
Economic – Eliminating alcohol purchases over a month can result in substantial financial savings!
Risk factors of alcohol
Alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for several types of cancer. This article (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsr2306723) explores key findings from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on how reducing or stopping alcohol intake can lower your cancer risk, along with the underlying mechanisms involved.
Here are some key findings:
Cancer risk reduction: The IARC concluded that reducing or stopping alcohol intake decreases the incidence of certain cancers:
- Sufficient evidence: For cancers of the oral cavity and oesophagus, there is sufficient evidence that reducing or ceasing alcohol consumption lowers cancer risk.
- Limited evidence: For cancers of the larynx, colorectum, and breast, there is limited evidence supporting a reduction in incidence following decreases alcohol consumption.
- Inadequate evidence: For cancers of the pharynx and liver, the evidence is currently inadequate to determine the impact of alcohol reduction or cessation.
Mechanisms of carcinogenesis: The study identifies reversible mechanism in alcohol-related cancer development, including:
- Acetaldehyde metabolism: Alterations in the metabolism of acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol, can lead to DNA damage.
- Genotoxicity: DNA damage resulting from alcohol consumption contributes to cancer risk.
- Immune and inflammatory responses: Change in intestinal permeability and microbial translocation due to alcohol can affect immune and inflammatory pathways.
These findings underscore the importance of reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption as a strategy for improved overall health.
Dry January is a way to reset your relationship with alcohol and experience an alcohol-free lifestyle. It’s an opportunity to prioritise your health, both physical and mental and breakaway from any unhealthy drinking habits.
Whether you choose to participate in Dry January for a full month or just take away some of the principles, remember every little step counts towards a healthier lifestyle.