:quality(85):upscale()/2025/12/18/985/n/1922729/bc98658a6944826e37ddd2.02878823_.jpg?ssl=1 "Benefits of Dry January, According to Experts")
Dry January may be your best bet. WITH sober-curious movement is still going strong, it is clear that people are becoming more interested in the role alcohol plays in their lives. That's all for now getting closer to sobriety With different goals in mind, it may be helpful to learn about the many benefits of Dry January that make self-discipline worthwhile.
Before you get started: If you drink heavily and think you may be addicted to alcohol, it is recommended talk to your doctor before cutting down completely. If you suddenly stop drinking, you may experience alcohol withdrawal syndrome. “Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease in which excessive drinking occurs due to the desire and inability to stop,” says internal medicine physician Flora Sinha, MD. “These patients will experience withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, diarrhea, chills and sweating if they suddenly stop.” This article provides context for sobriety for people who drink lightly to moderately and are not likely to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Dry January gives people the opportunity to see How do they feel without alcohol? . . . no commitment required. After giving up alcohol for a month, the former PS editor reported increased energy, improved eating habits and smarter financial decisions. But what does the science say about the benefits of Dry January and, more importantly, is it worth ditching the month-long diet? espresso martini? Read on to find out what a month of sobriety can do for you, from clearer skin to better habits.
Experts featured in this article:
Flora SinhaMD, Certified Internal Medicine Physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California.
Meredith BroderickMD, Triple Board Certified Sleep Therapist and Neurologist, and Founder Healthy sleep guru.
Samantha EllisMD, Certified Dermatologist, Founder Prequeland Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the University of California, Davis.
Christopher JohnstonABPM-ADM, MD, is an addiction specialist and chief medical officer at Pinnacle Treatment Centers.
Benefits of Dry January
Thinking about trying Dry January? Here are some of the many health benefits that may be worth your time (according to experts).
- Improved sleep: Chances are you were at the other end of the night, tossing and turning after drinking too much. “At the beginning of the night, alcohol has a calming effect, so most people will notice that they have an easier time falling asleep or even passing out,” says sleep expert Meredith Broderick, RD. “But once the alcohol wears off, there is a surge in the sympathetic nervous system, causing early morning awakenings or multiple awakenings in the second half of the night.” Alcohol also “eases the collapse of the airways, so people may notice snoring, waking up gasping for air, or even a swollen uvula,” she says. Ultimately, alcohol disrupts sleep, which means participating in something like Dry January can provide better Zzzs.
- Clear skin: While drinking moderate amounts of alcohol will not necessarily cause poor skin health (in people without underlying skin conditions), alcohol is known to dehydrate the body from the inside out. Excessive alcohol consumption can also “damage multiple organ systems, including the skin,” says dermatologist Samantha Ellis, MD. “This can cause the skin to appear yellowish, dilate and damage blood vessels on the surface of the skin, and worsen chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and rosacea.” Quitting alcohol can also benefit your skin in other ways. “We know that those who drink alcohol may have poor diet and sleep disturbances, both of which can negatively impact the appearance of the skin,” says Dr. Ellis. “Without the sedating effects of alcohol, people may also feel more motivated to engage in healthy skin care habits, such as removing makeup before bed, performing a restorative skin care routine, and exercising regularly.” To sum it up? Don't be surprised if your skin looks a lot clearer by the end of Dry January.
- Improved mental health: Moderate drinking should not cause serious damage to your mental health. Beyond that, however, addiction specialist Christopher Johnston, MD ABPM-ADM, I said earlier PS that alcohol is associated with mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can affect a person's relationships and responsibilities, but cutting down on alcohol consumption can help reduce anxiety and improve mental wellbeing general.
- Better Weight Management: Experts say that losing weight after quitting alcohol is not unusual, and this was also the experience of our aforementioned editor. “The easiest way to lose weight is to eliminate liquid calories, which have minimal nutritional value,” says Dr. Sinha. “For many, it’s alcohol.” Alcohol can also have a negative effect on metabolism by impairing the liver's ability to process fat. It can also increase levels of appetite-regulating hormones, making you more likely to overeat. Because of this, you may begin to feel less hungry after quitting alcohol, says Dr. Sinha. However, an important difference is that heavy drinkers (or those who drink alcohol to excess) also experience a decrease in appetite because they get most of their calories from alcohol.
Long-term benefits of quitting alcohol
Dr. Sinha says giving up alcohol can benefit your liver within a few weeks (if you don't already have liver problems). In the long term, quitting alcohol may further reduce liver damage and prevent alcoholic hepatitis and fatty liver disease (although people can get fatty liver disease without drinking alcohol). Quitting alcohol for a long period of time can also reduce your long-term risk of cancer and heart disease, says Dr. Sinha.
What happens after a dry January?
If you're looking to get back to drinking after January, Dr. Sinha says it's best to stick to drinking in moderation. For healthy adult women, this usually means one serving or less per day (and two servings or less for men). National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. However, if you like the way you feel without alcohol, you can always extend your Dry January trip into February (or get slightly wet rather than completely dry).
—Additional reporting by Alexis Jones and Chandler Plant.
Samantha Brodskaya — former assistant editor of PS. She uses her background as a gymnast to inform her sports and fitness reporting and watches Peloton videos in her free time.
Alexis Jones is the senior health and fitness editor at POPSUGAR. Her passions and areas of expertise include women's health and fitness, mental health, racial and ethnic health care disparities, and chronic disease. Before joining PS, she was a senior editor at Health magazine. Her other original articles can be found in the magazines Women's Health, Prevention, Marie Claire and others.
Chandler Plante (she/her) is PS's assistant editor for health and fitness. She has more than four years of professional journalism experience, previously serving as an assistant editor at People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie and Bustle Digital Group.
If you or a loved one is experiencing signs of addiction or alcohol dependence, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Hotline is a free, confidential service you can call 24/7 for information and referrals to treatment. This is 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Also, find other resources at Samhsa.gov.
