New Year, Same Illusion: Will Dry January Really Save a Year of Abuse?

Happy New Year, everyone!

As human beings, we are always eager for fresh starts. That’s why, at this time of year, people are full of motivation and willing to do everything they decided to postpone back in November when the year began to wind down. It's that magical feeling that we will do things differently and reach our boldest goals just because the calendar flipped. Crazy, right!?

Dry January is a perfect example of a commitment made during a "brand new start" that often leads to regret. For some, it's because they won't survive the month without a drink. For others, it's because they won't feel much benefit when they eventually reach the end of the year with the same abusive alcohol habits.

I love seeing the newspapers say, "Health specialists agree that any reduction in alcohol consumption can lead to improved health outcomes." No sources, no studies—just cheap talk or a random medical quote. With a scientific background, it is easy to recognize this as a trap.

The evolutionary process incorporates all our habits, and alcohol has been present in our societies for around 10,000 years. Therefore, if we stage an intervention and suddenly remove alcohol, there will obviously be physiological outcomes. Whether those outcomes are actually "improvements" is up for debate. But more importantly: what happens if we make that intervention permanent? Most likely, our organisms adapt; that is the nature of evolution. Even the supposed benefits could eventually disappear as the body reaches a new equilibrium.

The same thing happens if we remove gluten, lactose, or anything else (not in cases of intolerance). Changes will happen at first, for sure, but are they sustainable? Or was it just a temporary reaction to an intervention? We need permanent, sustainable health habits, not "fake purifications." Dry January is essentially the modern version of trying to buy your way into heaven.

And who pays the bill? The local pub and the small craft beer brands that are hit by a sudden drop in consumption. The big brands don’t care; they’ve already invested in a diversified portfolio and will gladly sell you mocktails and weird, brightly colored drinks with empty promises of health benefits.

But your neighbor is in pain. So, leave the cheap talk aside and go get a beer! Pick one with less alcohol or even a non-alcoholic one, and just have one. Send this text to your friends and head to the pub. Did you enjoy it? Great—now do it again! Drink responsibly, always!

Cheers! 🍻