Alcohol Change UK, the charity that launched the Dry January challenge in 2013, estimated that 17.5 million people planned to quit drinking for the entire month, with financial savings being the main motivation.
21 percent of people said saving money was the main reason for quitting drinking, more than 20 percent of people wanting to achieve better health. Other motivations reported included weight loss (15 percent), mental health or fitness (11 percent).
Alcohol Change UK CEO Dr Richard Piper said: “Given the current pressures on our personal finances, we’re not surprised to see that saving money is the top motivator for taking a break from alcohol this January.”
The findings align with other research suggesting that Gen Zers, who have been dubbed the “down-to-earth, curious generation,” may be ditching promiscuity for financial reasons.
According to a 2025 UK Night Time Industries Association questionnaire68 percent of 18 to 30 year olds said they went out less because they couldn’t afford drinks and club entry.
Piper continues: “People are often shocked to hear estimates of what an average drinker spends on alcohol, which our research puts at more than £62,000 over a lifetime – that’s a lot of holidays, more than a brand new car or a big chunk of our mortgage.
“Even on a daily basis, our drinking habits add up, and it can easily be the case that we spend more money on alcohol than we would like – often without really noticing until we step back and take a break.
“Many members of our community who are actively working to change their relationship with alcohol report being surprised by how much money they save in a short time, or in other words how much they spent on booze upfront.”
What are the benefits of quitting alcohol?
Swapping your gin and tonic for a lime soda makes financial sense, but there are plenty of other reasons why cutting back on booze can be a good idea.
Even one day without alcohol can have health benefits because once alcohol-induced dehydration is reduced, there is an improvement in digestion, brain function and energy levels.
When alcohol leaves the body, blood sugar levels begin to normalize because alcohol reduces the liver’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
Alcohol disrupts your sleep cycle, so if you go a week without booze, you may notice that you sleep better.
Drinking also causes a build-up of fats in the liver, but a week without drinking can be enough time to reduce liver fat and heal mild scarring and tissue damage.
You may also notice improvements in brain function.
Drinking can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression, but it may take a few weeks before you feel an improvement in mood.
In addition to increased well-being, you may notice that you lose weight and body fat. This is because alcohol contains a large amount of kilojoules and can activate reward systems, which can lead to overeating or unhealthy food choices.
Cutting out alcohol can also reduce bloating, indigestion, heartburn and diarrhea.
You may also notice that your skin improves because alcohol causes dryness and inflammation, which can be reversed if you stop drinking.
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