After attracting 4.5 million participants in France in January 2025, Dry January has returned for its seventh edition. The initiative, which has been organized since 2020 by a broad coalition of non-profit organizations, learned societies and local authorities, has continued without government support. The Elysée withdrew its backing under pressure from the alcohol industry lobby, despite the movement’s growing momentum.
Launched in 2013 in the United Kingdom and also practiced in Belgium, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Dry January encourages people to pause their alcohol consumption for the entire month of January, while also prompting them to reflect on their own habits. How many drinks do you have per day? On what occasions? How can you resist the ever-present social pressure around alcohol?
Overall alcohol consumption has steadily declined for 60 years, with a notable drop of 5.8% in the volume of pure alcohol sold in 2024, down to 9.75 liters per person, according to the OFDT, the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. However, episodes of heavy drinking remain high.
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