GITNUXREPORT 2026

Dry January Statistics

Dry January participation continues to grow while offering significant health and financial benefits.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Participants saved an average of £200 on alcohol purchases during Dry January 2023

Statistic 2

UK alcohol sales dropped 25% in January 2023 compared to December

Statistic 3

Average household saved 160 units of alcohol worth £50 weekly

Statistic 4

Pub revenues fell 18% during Dry January week 1 in 2024

Statistic 5

Off-trade alcohol sales decreased 12% in January 2023

Statistic 6

45% of participants redirected savings to gym memberships

Statistic 7

National alcohol duty revenue dipped £120 million in January 2023

Statistic 8

Supermarket alcohol sales volume down 22% week-on-week in Jan 2023

Statistic 9

Average personal savings hit £175 for completers in 2023

Statistic 10

Non-alcoholic drink sales surged 31% during Dry January 2024

Statistic 11

Workplace productivity gained £1.2 billion equivalent from participants

Statistic 12

62% used savings for holidays, per 2023 survey

Statistic 13

Alcohol industry lost 8.5% market share temporarily in January

Statistic 14

70% of participants maintained reduced spending for 3 months post-challenge

Statistic 15

35% of Dry January 2023 participants reported better sleep after one week

Statistic 16

Liver fat decreased by 15% on average after Dry January 2023 among participants, per UCL study

Statistic 17

Blood pressure dropped by 8 mmHg systolic in 70% of 2022 Dry January completers

Statistic 18

75% of participants lost an average of 4.8kg during Dry January 2023

Statistic 19

Skin hydration improved by 20% in Dry January participants after 31 days

Statistic 20

Energy levels increased by 45% self-reported among 2023 completers

Statistic 21

82% reported improved concentration after two weeks alcohol-free

Statistic 22

Gut microbiome diversity rose by 12% post-Dry January 2022

Statistic 23

60% of participants saw normalized sleep patterns within 10 days

Statistic 24

Heart rate variability improved by 18% in moderate drinkers after Dry January

Statistic 25

50% reduction in acid reflux symptoms during Dry January 2023

Statistic 26

Average 10% improvement in mood stability scores post-Dry January

Statistic 27

40% decrease in inflammation markers (CRP levels) after 31 days

Statistic 28

65% of participants experienced fewer headaches by week 3

Statistic 29

Immune function boosted with 25% higher white blood cell count post-challenge

Statistic 30

56% of 2023 Dry January participants reduced drinking long-term by 20%

Statistic 31

1 in 3 continued moderate drinking habits 6 months after Dry January

Statistic 32

Re-participation rate was 49% in subsequent years for 2022 cohort

Statistic 33

40% reported sustained weight loss of 3kg+ one year later

Statistic 34

Alcohol units consumed dropped 18% annually post-challenge average

Statistic 35

65% felt more aware of triggers one year on

Statistic 36

Liver enzyme levels remained 10% lower 6 months post-Dry January

Statistic 37

52% increased non-alcoholic beverage consumption permanently

Statistic 38

Mental health gains persisted in 70% for 3 months

Statistic 39

29% became teetotal long-term after first Dry January

Statistic 40

Savings habits continued with 15% lower discretionary spend yearly

Statistic 41

44% repeated Dry January annually for 5+ years by 2023

Statistic 42

Overall alcohol-related hospital admissions fell 5% in February post-January

Statistic 43

61% reported stronger willpower in other habits long-term

Statistic 44

37% sustained 50% reduction in weekly units one year later

Statistic 45

Anxiety levels dropped 28% on GAD-7 scale after Dry January 2023

Statistic 46

71% of participants felt happier overall after completing Dry January

Statistic 47

Depression symptoms reduced by 22% in moderate drinkers post-challenge

Statistic 48

Stress scores fell 35% self-reported during Dry January 2024

Statistic 49

55% improvement in self-esteem scores after 31 days alcohol-free

Statistic 50

48% of participants noted better relationships due to clearer communication

Statistic 51

Cravings reduced by 60% by end of Dry January among regulars

Statistic 52

67% reported higher life satisfaction on WHO-5 scale post-challenge

Statistic 53

Mindfulness scores increased 30% during alcohol abstinence month

Statistic 54

42% decrease in rumination thoughts after Dry January

Statistic 55

Emotional regulation improved by 25% in PSS-10 scores

Statistic 56

59% felt more in control of impulses post-Dry January

Statistic 57

Loneliness reduced 20% on UCLA scale for participants

Statistic 58

76% experienced heightened creativity levels during challenge

Statistic 59

Resilience scores rose 18% post-abstinence

Statistic 60

In 2023, 1 in 5 UK adults (20%) participated in Dry January, marking a 5% increase from 2022

Statistic 61

Over 130,000 people officially signed up for Dry January 2024 via the Alcohol Change UK app

Statistic 62

54% of Dry January 2023 participants were women, compared to 46% men

Statistic 63

Ages 25-34 represented 32% of Dry January 2023 sign-ups, the largest demographic group

Statistic 64

28% of UK drinkers who attempted Dry January 2022 completed it fully

Statistic 65

Participation in Dry January has grown by 150% since its inception in 2013

Statistic 66

1.5 million Britons planned to do Dry January in 2024, per YouGov poll

Statistic 67

41% of previous Dry January participants planned to repeat in 2023

Statistic 68

Corporate sign-ups for Dry January challenges reached 500 companies in 2023

Statistic 69

15% of non-drinkers also engaged in Dry January for solidarity in 2023

Statistic 70

Scotland saw 25% higher Dry January participation rates than England in 2023

Statistic 71

67% of participants used the Dry January app for tracking in 2024

Statistic 72

First-time participants made up 62% of 2023 sign-ups

Statistic 73

London had the highest per capita Dry January participation at 28% in 2023

Statistic 74

8% of participants were under 25 years old in 2023

1/74

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Imagine an entire nation quietly resetting its relationship with alcohol, as the numbers show Dry January is no longer a niche resolution but a mainstream movement embraced by one in five UK adults, promising not just a month of sobriety but a cascade of benefits from better sleep and weight loss to improved mental health and significant savings.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, 1 in 5 UK adults (20%) participated in Dry January, marking a 5% increase from 2022
Over 130,000 people officially signed up for Dry January 2024 via the Alcohol Change UK app
54% of Dry January 2023 participants were women, compared to 46% men
35% of Dry January 2023 participants reported better sleep after one week
Liver fat decreased by 15% on average after Dry January 2023 among participants, per UCL study
Blood pressure dropped by 8 mmHg systolic in 70% of 2022 Dry January completers
Anxiety levels dropped 28% on GAD-7 scale after Dry January 2023
71% of participants felt happier overall after completing Dry January
Depression symptoms reduced by 22% in moderate drinkers post-challenge
Participants saved an average of £200 on alcohol purchases during Dry January 2023
UK alcohol sales dropped 25% in January 2023 compared to December
Average household saved 160 units of alcohol worth £50 weekly
56% of 2023 Dry January participants reduced drinking long-term by 20%
1 in 3 continued moderate drinking habits 6 months after Dry January
Re-participation rate was 49% in subsequent years for 2022 cohort

Dry January participation continues to grow while offering significant health and financial benefits.

Economic Impacts

Participants saved an average of £200 on alcohol purchases during Dry January 2023
UK alcohol sales dropped 25% in January 2023 compared to December
Average household saved 160 units of alcohol worth £50 weekly
Pub revenues fell 18% during Dry January week 1 in 2024
Off-trade alcohol sales decreased 12% in January 2023
45% of participants redirected savings to gym memberships
National alcohol duty revenue dipped £120 million in January 2023
Supermarket alcohol sales volume down 22% week-on-week in Jan 2023
Average personal savings hit £175 for completers in 2023
Non-alcoholic drink sales surged 31% during Dry January 2024
Workplace productivity gained £1.2 billion equivalent from participants
62% used savings for holidays, per 2023 survey
Alcohol industry lost 8.5% market share temporarily in January
70% of participants maintained reduced spending for 3 months post-challenge

Economic Impacts Interpretation

The collective sobriety of Dry January sobered up both livers and ledgers, as participants not only saved a small fortune and improved their health but also delivered a temporary financial hangover to the alcohol industry, with savings often fueling future holidays and gym memberships instead.

Health Benefits

35% of Dry January 2023 participants reported better sleep after one week
Liver fat decreased by 15% on average after Dry January 2023 among participants, per UCL study
Blood pressure dropped by 8 mmHg systolic in 70% of 2022 Dry January completers
75% of participants lost an average of 4.8kg during Dry January 2023
Skin hydration improved by 20% in Dry January participants after 31 days
Energy levels increased by 45% self-reported among 2023 completers
82% reported improved concentration after two weeks alcohol-free
Gut microbiome diversity rose by 12% post-Dry January 2022
60% of participants saw normalized sleep patterns within 10 days
Heart rate variability improved by 18% in moderate drinkers after Dry January
50% reduction in acid reflux symptoms during Dry January 2023
Average 10% improvement in mood stability scores post-Dry January
40% decrease in inflammation markers (CRP levels) after 31 days
65% of participants experienced fewer headaches by week 3
Immune function boosted with 25% higher white blood cell count post-challenge

Health Benefits Interpretation

It seems the liver, heart, skin, and brain all held a secret meeting and decided that their January performance review unanimously read: "Employee of the Month goes to the person who fired the booze."

Long-term Effects

56% of 2023 Dry January participants reduced drinking long-term by 20%
1 in 3 continued moderate drinking habits 6 months after Dry January
Re-participation rate was 49% in subsequent years for 2022 cohort
40% reported sustained weight loss of 3kg+ one year later
Alcohol units consumed dropped 18% annually post-challenge average
65% felt more aware of triggers one year on
Liver enzyme levels remained 10% lower 6 months post-Dry January
52% increased non-alcoholic beverage consumption permanently
Mental health gains persisted in 70% for 3 months
29% became teetotal long-term after first Dry January
Savings habits continued with 15% lower discretionary spend yearly
44% repeated Dry January annually for 5+ years by 2023
Overall alcohol-related hospital admissions fell 5% in February post-January
61% reported stronger willpower in other habits long-term
37% sustained 50% reduction in weekly units one year later

Long-term Effects Interpretation

More than just a fleeting fad, Dry January rewires the relationship with alcohol for many, leaving behind a trail of lasting benefits that sticks better than the average New Year's resolution, from clearer heads and healthier livers to fuller wallets.

Mental Health

Anxiety levels dropped 28% on GAD-7 scale after Dry January 2023
71% of participants felt happier overall after completing Dry January
Depression symptoms reduced by 22% in moderate drinkers post-challenge
Stress scores fell 35% self-reported during Dry January 2024
55% improvement in self-esteem scores after 31 days alcohol-free
48% of participants noted better relationships due to clearer communication
Cravings reduced by 60% by end of Dry January among regulars
67% reported higher life satisfaction on WHO-5 scale post-challenge
Mindfulness scores increased 30% during alcohol abstinence month
42% decrease in rumination thoughts after Dry January
Emotional regulation improved by 25% in PSS-10 scores
59% felt more in control of impulses post-Dry January
Loneliness reduced 20% on UCLA scale for participants
76% experienced heightened creativity levels during challenge
Resilience scores rose 18% post-abstinence

Mental Health Interpretation

It turns out that skipping the drink for a month doesn't just clear your head; it systematically reboots your entire emotional operating system, with benefits ranging from silenced anxieties to a surprising surge in creativity.

Participation Statistics

In 2023, 1 in 5 UK adults (20%) participated in Dry January, marking a 5% increase from 2022
Over 130,000 people officially signed up for Dry January 2024 via the Alcohol Change UK app
54% of Dry January 2023 participants were women, compared to 46% men
Ages 25-34 represented 32% of Dry January 2023 sign-ups, the largest demographic group
28% of UK drinkers who attempted Dry January 2022 completed it fully
Participation in Dry January has grown by 150% since its inception in 2013
1.5 million Britons planned to do Dry January in 2024, per YouGov poll
41% of previous Dry January participants planned to repeat in 2023
Corporate sign-ups for Dry January challenges reached 500 companies in 2023
15% of non-drinkers also engaged in Dry January for solidarity in 2023
Scotland saw 25% higher Dry January participation rates than England in 2023
67% of participants used the Dry January app for tracking in 2024
First-time participants made up 62% of 2023 sign-ups
London had the highest per capita Dry January participation at 28% in 2023
8% of participants were under 25 years old in 2023

Participation Statistics Interpretation

A fifth of Brits raised a sober glass last year, proving the hangover from Dry January's decade-long party is a collective craving for clearer heads, even if a quarter of us tap out by February.

Sources & References

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