French study claims ‘Dry January’ participation improves sleep and health

Taking part in ‘Dry January’ and abstaining from alcohol can improve sleep quality as well as physical and mental health, according to a major French study. 

Despite nearly one in five people in France reporting that they take part in Dry January – a post-Christmas challenge to abstain from alcohol for a month – no major study had been conducted in France on the effects.

The study, conducted by the Le Vinatier University Psychiatry Institute of Lyon Métropole, followed 2,123 participants over a six-month period including ‘ Dry January’, to monitor the impact on their health.

During the month of abstaining from alcohol, the proportion of participants who rated their sleep as ‘very good’ increased from 9% to 24%.

“We know that alcohol reduces the duration of restorative sleep during the sleep stages. So when we stop consuming it, even temporarily, we very quickly see that sleep improves,” said one of the authors of the study Louis-Ferdinand Lespine to FranceInfo. 

Several health benefits for all who cut down 

The improved sleep quality had a knock-on effect, improving overall health. 

“Sleep [when not drinking alcohol] is deeper, and therefore inevitably we are less tired, we feel more energetic, we feel clearer-headed, we are more focused,” said Mr Lespine.

“So, the consequences are improved mental health and a slightly enhanced sense of physical well-being,” he added. 

Long-term effects were recorded far beyond January, as “several months after the end of the challenge, 60% of participants show lower alcohol consumption compared to what they reported before the challenge.” 

This in turn helped to maintain better sleep quality and health.

There was no difference in the health benefits from age and gender groups, although couples were most likely to successfully complete the challenge together.

Smokers were among those who found it most difficult to quit alcohol across the month. 

Overall, around 40% of people taking part in the study aiming to complete a Dry January failed and consumed alcohol at least once across the month. 

This however was not seen negatively by researchers, as even partially lower consumption saw a boost to health. 

However, “the more ambitious the goal, the greater the chances of success,” said Mr Lespine, who added that “the benefits are all the more pronounced the higher your initial consumption.” 

Dry January has awkward place in French health scene

Dry January has become a global phenomenon, popular across Western countries where it is viewed as an achievable, small-scale resolution to start the year in a ‘healthy’ way and to counteract increased food and alcohol consumption over the holiday period in late December. 

Millions participate in the challenge worldwide, and in some countries such as the UK it is publicly endorsed by health authorities. 

Despite a French Dry January challenge existing since 2020, the movement is run by a charity, Fédération Addiction. 

Unlike its smoking counterpart Mois sans tabac which takes place in November, it is not officially endorsed or managed by the country’s health authorities. 

However, recent Januarys have seen awareness increase where a number of doctors have publicly backed the campaign. In 2023 several addiction experts signed an open letter to the Health Ministry asking for official endorsement of the challenge, highlighting it as a means to combat the risk of alcoholism in France.

France’s wine lobby remains opposed however, as they believe the movement would further hinder sales amid a landscape that has seen wine consumption drastically decline, particularly among younger drinkers.

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron says he drinks two glasses of wine a day, a statement that brought him goodwill among winegrowers but criticism from doctors.

The potential health – and economic – benefits of such a scheme could be significant. 

Health authorities suggest that for every €1 spent on the Mois sans tabac initiative through advertising and help kits etc, €7 is saved long-term by avoiding future healthcare treatment.