More than a million participants in Dry January, but 30 percent will fail

More than a million people in the Netherlands are expected to have a New Year's resolution saying they will not drink alcohol during the month of January. But 30 percent will not manage to get through the first month of 2026 completely alcohol-free, said IkPas, an organization representing all 26 municipal health service districts and ten addiction treatment centers in the Netherlands.

"If you try to do it on your own, you're less likely to succeed," said campaign manager Martijn Planken from IkPas, in a statement about the interest in Dry January. IkPas conducted research into the number of Dry January participants in the Netherlands, which was estimated at 1.2 million people for the upcoming year.

The vast majority of people who take a break from alcohol in January are trying to do so independently. Planken expects around 15,000 people to download the IkPas app, where they can track their alcohol-free days and receive supportive.

As of Tuesday, the number of participants reached 4,887, but the campaign leader believes most people only decide to give up drinking for a month once January 1 arrives. "Participating in Dry January isn't something you plan far in advance."

Dry January is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom. The idea is for participants to experience the effects of a month without alcohol. Stories from other participants and tips from experts also can help. "People who register with IkPas and use the app to support them have a 70 percent success rate," says Planken.

"After January, we see people consistently drinking less alcohol. They're more likely to decide to abstain for an evening because they feel fitter the next day."

People can also choose to consume alcohol more mindfully throughout the year. IkPas figures show that another 1.5 million Dutch people participate in alcohol breaks at other points throughout the year. Of those making the attempt, about 35,000 to 50,000 use the IkPas support tool.

New this year is a student challenge, developed in collaboration with Tilburg University and Radboud University. To support people with New Year's resolutions, a four-part podcast series is also launching this week. It will offer listeners tips on preparation, perseverance, and dealing with challenging situations.