We look at how to prepare, what to expect and some alcohol-free alternatives

If you’re planning to celebrate on New Year’s Eve with a glass of Champagne, you might be waking up on January 1st with a sore head. But if you’re planning a change to your relationship with alcohol or just looking for something different short-term, you might want to kick off 2025 with Dry January instead.

The sobriety challenge has been growing in popularity every year with its very simple goal: give up alcohol for the first 31 days of the year. According to new research from Alcohol Change UK, more than one in four (29%) Brits are planning an alcohol-free January in 2025 to give their mind, body and bank balance a boost.

This comes after almost a quarter (23%) of Brits who drink say they have drunk more alcohol this year than in 2023. And it’s men who claim to have the drunk the most of the two sexes, which may explain why more men (32%) are planning to start their 2025s alcohol-free.

Dr Richard Piper, CEO at Alcohol Change UK, said: “More of us are connecting the dots between the alcohol we drink and the impact it has on our health, wellbeing and quality of life.

“From poor sleep, headaches and hangovers, to spending more money than we’d like or struggling at work or in our relationships, our research provides a strong picture of the reasons why so many of us are ready to rethink our relationship with alcohol.”

Making a sudden switch to sobriety can be daunting, but a few strategies can help you get the most out of the challenge.

One of the easiest ways to hold yourself accountable for the month is to tell others about your goal. You might also consider making a plan for what you’ll be doing in the moments when you would typically be drinking. 

To help those taking on the Dry January challenge make the most of their 31-days alcohol-free and unlock maximum benefit, Alcohol Change UK offers the free Try Dry app. Backed by behavioural science and designed to guide you through the 31 days, you can track your units, calories and money saved, log your dry days, earn badges, access tips, stories and more.

Sara Brooks, Chief Marketing Officer at BetterHelp, the world’s largest online therapy service and Headline Partner of the Dry January® 2025 challenge, said: “This research from Alcohol Change UK highlights just how much our relationship with alcohol influences our mental health.

“It’s clear that more of us are considering the wide range of impacts alcohol has on our lives – from increasing our anxiety levels and hampering our fitness and physical health to preventing us from getting good quality sleep and putting pressure on our finances and relationships. Millions of people are using this understanding as inspiration to address their drinking habits with a 31-day break.”

Here are some great alcohol-free options for the those looking to celebrate in January 2025:

Lyre’s Classico Grande Case £62 (6 bottles)

Lucky Saint Unfiltered Lager Bottle £22 (12-pack)

Trip Blood Orange Rosemary Mindful Blend £26.40 (24 pack)

Dash Lime Sparkling Water£12.79 (12 cans)

Counter Culture Raspberry & Elderflower organic kombucha £23.94 (24 cans)