As thousands across the UK embark on Dry January this year, a prominent medical expert has shared a surprisingly straightforward trick to help participants cut down on alcohol and save significant cash. The annual month-long challenge encourages people to reset their relationship with booze, with benefits extending far beyond January.
The Sober Truth About Being Funny
New research from Alcohol Change UK provides a compelling reason many find the challenge difficult: 48% of men in the UK believe they are funnier when drinking. This suggests alcohol is often used as a social lubricant to boost confidence and humour.
Dr Jeevan Fernando, a former NHS doctor and expert in addiction psychiatry, debunks this notion. He explains that while alcohol may lower inhibitions by muffling the prefrontal cortex—the brain's decision-making and self-consciousness centre—this often creates a false sense of comedic talent. "You might feel funnier because everything is funnier when you're a little bit drunk," Dr Fernando states. "But it can be a false sense of whether you're actually funny or not."
He advocates for developing natural confidence, arguing that true wit comes from practice and letting go of rigidity, not from a bottle. "You can be funny when sober, all it takes is confidence… and maybe a little practice," he advises.
Immediate and Long-Term Rewards of Going Dry
The incentives for participating in Dry January are substantial, impacting health, finances, and wellbeing.
Short-term health benefits manifest quickly. Dr Fernando notes that cutting out alcohol leads to instantly improved sleep, resulting in more energy, reduced brain fog, better emotional wellbeing, and lower stress and anxiety. These positive changes can be felt within days.
The long-term health advantages are even more significant. Reducing alcohol intake decreases blood pressure and cholesterol, and lowers the risk of diabetes and several cancers, including throat, stomach, breast, prostate, and liver cancer. Critically, it also slows cognitive decline. "Alcohol exaggerates the brain's natural ageing process," Dr Fernando explains, meaning that stopping or reducing intake substantially lowers the risk of dementia.
The financial payoff is equally compelling. Research indicates the average drinker spends £118 a month on alcohol, meaning successful participants could save enough for a memorable holiday. For men, there's also a notable benefit to sex drive, as alcohol is linked to lower testosterone, which can cause reduced libido and erectile dysfunction.
The GP-Approved Trick and Top Tips for Success
Dr Fernando's key piece of advice for Dry January success is simple yet effective: Hold something. "Sometimes one of the reasons we drink is simply because we feel a bit strange without something in our hands," he says. The solution is to replace a glass of wine or pint with a non-alcoholic alternative like lemonade, or even a fidget spinner or hair bobble to keep hands occupied.
He also recommends several other strategies:
- Use the Try Dry app: Data shows people are twice as likely to complete Dry January with the app, and 70% of participants drink less in the following months. It helps track progress, calories, and money saved, and offers community support.
- Seek support: Inform friends and family about your Dry January pledge and ask for their encouragement. Better still, invite them to join you.
- Replace alcohol with a positive alternative: Since alcohol often acts as a reward or relaxant, find a healthy substitute that provides a similar feeling, such as a creative hobby, a walk, or an alcohol-free drink.
- Keep socialising: Maintain your usual social calendar to normalise not drinking. This helps reinforce the realisation that you can be fun and engaging without alcohol.
To champion sober socialising, Alcohol Change UK is hosting 'Funny AF', a dry comedy event at the Lucky Saint on January 20th, hosted by comedian Tom Rosenthal. The event aims to prove that banter doesn't require booze. Tickets can be won via the Try Dry app.
As Dry January 2026 gets underway, the message is clear: with the right strategies, the benefits of a month off alcohol—from sharper health to a fuller wallet—are well within reach.
