01 November 2023
With Dry January 2025 officially over, new research from alcohol, drug and mental health charity WithYou reveals how Brits approached their first weekend back drinking — and whether the alcohol-free challenge has had a lasting impact.
The exclusive survey, conducted over the first weekend post-Dry January, found that, of those who committed to a sober start to the year, almost half (42%) were unable to meet the challenge.
The survey of people across the UK also revealed that:
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60% of participants said the experience has changed their relationship with alcohol
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Nearly two-thirds (64%) said they are thinking about continuing their alcohol-free streak into February
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More than a third (34%) of participants stayed sober over the first weekend of February
As more people reassess their relationship with alcohol beyond January, experts from WithYou are urging individuals to take a balanced and mindful approach to drinking.
Stephen McCulloch, Executive Director at WithYou, says:
"For some, Dry January is a chance to reset and refocus after the holiday season, while for others, it’s about rethinking their relationship with alcohol altogether. Our exclusive polling has found that nearly half of the participants would be interested in reducing their drinking for the rest of the year, and 64% would consider extending Dry January into February.
“As we move further into 2025, we at WithYou want to make sure anyone looking to change their relationship with alcohol has the right support. Some people may find that making gradual changes is more achievable than cutting alcohol out entirely. This could include having more alcohol-free days, measuring drinks and trying smaller measures, only drinking at certain times of the day or on certain days, or buying less alcohol from the shops.
“For anyone who wants to be more conscious about their drinking, we’re here to help. You can always reach out for support with a trained advisor at no cost. Just visit our website at wearewithyou.org.uk."
Tips for reducing your alcohol intake
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Keep a drinks diary
Keep a note of what you are drinking, in what quantity, where and when. This will help you understand where to cut down, as well as allowing you to measure your progress.
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Set a goal
Big goals like ‘cutting down’ are great - but it’s the small, gradual changes that are more likely to get you there, by building up your confidence step by step.
This could be having an extra drink-free day in the week, only having one drink after dinner, or having soft drinks on a visit to the pub.
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Measure your drinks
Get a measuring cup and avoid “home measures”! This makes it easier to manage your drinking - and you can choose to have smaller drinks.
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Buy less at the shops
It can be tempting to buy in bulk - but this makes it easy to drink more. For that reason, think about your goals and only buy what you’re planning to drink.
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Try new hobbies
Look at your drinks diary to identify when you normally drink, and think of some different activities for these times and days.
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Be prepared for cravings
Sometimes you might have cravings for alcohol; this is normal. Think of ways to distract yourself until they pass.
You might also find that you start craving sugar and sweet foods. This is because alcohol has a high amount of sugar. Having sweets or sugary drinks might help.
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When things get tough
Having a setback doesn’t mean you’ve failed - in fact, it can be a chance to learn more about your triggers and how to avoid or cope with them.
WithYou delivers a free, confidential Webchat, seven days a week. If you are struggling, visit wearewithyou.org.uk and speak to one of our expert recovery workers.
Important If you're alcohol dependent or think you might be, it’s important that you don’t stop drinking suddenly, as this could lead to very dangerous alcohol withdrawal complications.