Overview
- Brown University researchers synthesized 16 studies covering more than 150,000 mostly U.K. participants and found that a 30‑day break frequently leads to sustained cuts in alcohol use.
- Measured physiological changes included reduced liver fat, improved insulin levels and lower cancer‑related growth factors, alongside better sleep, mood and concentration.
- Participants reported greater confidence refusing drinks in social settings, and even those who cut back rather than fully abstaining saw durable reductions.
- Formal supports such as registering with the Dry January campaign, using the Try Dry app and receiving daily coaching were linked to higher success, with participants skewing younger, female, higher‑income and more likely to drink heavily.
- A dissenting view from an industry group leader cautioned that monthlong abstinence can encourage a binge‑or‑bust mindset and may not shift population‑level consumption, while other research and personal accounts highlighted both benefits and social‑media pressures.