Sobering Science: Does hitting pause on drinking for a while really help?

We’ve all heard about campaigns like Dry January (UK), febfast (Australia) and Dry July (Australia and New Zealand) that encourage people to take a break from alcohol for a month. Some do it for charity, while others simply want to ease off for a while, particularly in cultures where drinking is a big part of social life.

But what happens after the month is over? Do people go back to their old styles of drinking (or worse, drink more to make up for it!), or does taking a break lead to lasting changes? To find out, researchers conducted a large-scale study focusing on people who tried Dry January.

What was the study?

The study followed 857 people (608 were women) who signed up for Dry January in 2015. They collected data at three time points: 1) when people registered, 2) at the end of January, and 3) six months later.

The goal was to understand who succeeded in completing the challenge, what factors predicted success, and whether taking part in Dry January led to longer-term changes in drinking patterns.

What were the results?

Here’s what the study found:

1. Who succeeded?
   • 64% of people successfully completed Dry January.
   • People who drank less heavily at the start were more likely to succeed. For example, those who got drunk less often were more likely to make it through the month.
2. What changed after Dry January?
   • Everyone benefited, even if they didn’t complete the challenge.
     • People reported drinking less often, consuming fewer drinks per session, and getting drunk less frequently six months later.
     • They also felt more confident in their ability to say no to alcohol in social situations, when feeling emotional, or when tempted to drink casually (like while watching TV).
   • Those who completed Dry January saw even bigger improvements.
     • They drank significantly less and felt even more confident about controlling their drinking compared to those who didn’t finish the month.

2. Did people bounce back to old habits?
   • “Rebound effects” were rare. Only 11% of people drank more after the challenge, and this was more common among those who didn’t complete Dry January.
   • Most people either drank less or stayed the same six months later.

Why is this important?

This study is a big deal because it was the first large-scale look at what happens when people voluntarily take a break from alcohol. Here’s why the findings matter:

1. It’s helpful even if you don’t manage the whole time
   • You don’t have to complete a full month off drinking to see benefits. Just trying to cut back can lead to positive changes in how much you drink and how confident you feel about controlling your alcohol use.
2. It’s not just about willpower
   • Success wasn’t just about having strong willpower. People who drank less heavily to begin with were more likely to succeed, suggesting that moderation might be a stepping stone to bigger changes in future.
3. No need to worry about “rebound effects”
   • Some people worry that taking a break from alcohol might lead to drinking more afterward. But this study shows that’s rare. Most people either drank less or stayed the same.
4. Taking a break from drinking at any time can be a gateway to healthier habits
   • Campaigns that encourage people to take a break from drinking aren’t just about giving up alcohol for a month—they’re about sparking a conversation and encouraging people to think about their drinking patterns. This study shows that taking a break can lead to lasting changes, even for those who don’t fully succeed at not drinking for the whole month.

In a nutshell

So, does hitting pause on drinking for a while really help? This study showed that yes, taking a break from alcohol, even for just a month, can have lasting benefits. Whether you succeed or not, having a period of time focused intentionally on having a break from booze can help you drink less and feel more in control of your drinking into the future. And don’t worry—most people generally don’t end up drinking more afterward.

At Hello Sunday Morning, all of our programs are designed to support you at any time of your choosing, and in whatever your goals are for drinking – either cutting down, taking a break or quitting altogether. Try out our self-assessment, Drink Tracker, and our supportive and anonymous Daybreak community who will cheer you on, every step of the way.