Researchers and participants agree: dry January reduces alcohol consumption
Dry January is growing in popularity in the Netherlands, with some extending the challenge to Dry July and Sober September. Researchers and participants agree that the initiative often leads to a reduction in alcohol consumption, both short-term and long-term, EenVandaag reports.
According to Bart Takkenberg, a gastroenterologist at Amsterdam UMC, the healthiest option is to avoid alcohol entirely. "There is no safe lower limit for alcohol consumption," he said.
The Dutch Health Council’s 2015 guidelines recommend limiting alcohol intake to one drink per day but do not explicitly discourage consumption. However, new scientific research may lead to a more restrictive advisory in 2026, Takkenberg noted. "The idea of a ‘healthy glass of wine’ is likely to be dismissed."
On average, Dutch adults consume seven drinks per week. A small percentage—6.7 percent—drink excessively, with men consuming more than 21 drinks weekly and women more than 18. Martijn Planken, campaign leader for IkPas, the Dutch version of Dry January, reported that participants in the challenge average 18 drinks per week before starting.
Founded in 2014, IkPas has grown steadily. In 2025, 13,442 people officially participated, but the movement extends beyond registered participants. "It's becoming a national phenomenon," Planken said.
Among the 1,800 members of the EenVandaag Opinion Panel who participated in Dry January, 55 percent reported noticeable benefits. Common improvements included increased energy, better sleep, and weight loss. Mental clarity and mood enhancement were also frequently mentioned. "I have more energy and don’t experience the usual 'blue Monday' feeling after weekends," one participant noted.
About 65 percent of participants successfully abstained from alcohol for the entire month, while 32 percent did not complete the challenge. Social occasions and stress were the most common reasons for breaking abstinence. Some adopted personal rules to compensate. "If I drink at an event, I extend Dry January into February or even March," one participant said.
Planken emphasized that most participants do not revert to previous drinking habits immediately. "They have spent the month actively reflecting on alcohol consumption and feel it would be a waste to go back to old habits."
Fifty percent of those who completed Dry January plan to drink less, while 10 percent intend to quit alcohol entirely. However, 32 percent expect to resume their previous drinking patterns. "For me, cutting back is harder than quitting for a month," a participant said. "I sometimes consider stopping completely, but I’m not there yet. Life is better with a glass of wine."
"The market for 0.0 percent beverages has expanded rapidly in recent years," Planken said. However, he warned that non-alcoholic beer might reinforce associations with alcohol. "Drinking 0.0 beer still mimics the habit. Choosing soda or juice instead might help break the psychological link."
Research shows that Dry January participants reduce their alcohol consumption by about 30 percent over the following year. Additionally, the average participant takes part in a month-long abstinence challenge 1.4 times per year. "The Netherlands used to have some of the highest alcohol consumption rates, but we have moved to the middle of the pack," Takkenberg said. "Still, alcohol remains a major societal issue that needs continued attention."
