Dry January: Evaluation of the campaign in 2025

Alcohol consumption in Switzerland remains a significant health and social challenge, with approximately 17% of the adult population consuming alcohol at hazardous levels. The Dry January campaign, which encourages people to abstain from alcohol for one month, has become increasingly popular in Switzerland. A recent study by Sucht Schweiz shows that more than half of Swiss adults are aware of the campaign, and approximately one in eight participated in 2023. While initial evidence suggests short-term benefits such as improved well-being, better sleep, and increased energy, comprehensive research on long-term behavioral changes and health benefits, particularly in non-English speaking regions, is still limited.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Dry January campaign in Switzerland by comparing three distinct groups:

Official Campaign Participants (Group A): Individuals who follow Dry January through the official Swiss campaign, receiving newsletters, resources, and access to support tools like the Try Dry mobile app

Independent Participants (Group B): Individuals who practice Dry January on their own initiative without connecting to the official campaign or using its support services.

Non-Participants (Group C): Individuals who continue their regular drinking habits during January
The study aims to determine whether official campaign support enhances success rates compared to independent participation, identify predictive factors for successful completion, and analyze both short and long-term effects on alcohol consumption patterns, physical and mental wellbeing, social functioning, and workplace productivity.

A mixed-methods study with three comparison groups. Data collection occurs at three time points: baseline, 1-month follow-up, and 9-month follow-up. Two qualitative focus groups with Group A participants will provide deeper insights into the campaign experience and support services. The study will recruit 1,200 participants, with quotas for age, gender, and language region to ensure representativeness.

This represents one of the first comprehensive evaluations of the Dry January campaign outside the UK and the first in-depth study in the German-speaking region. The findings will provide evidence-based insights into the long-term effects of behavioral changes resulting from temporary alcohol abstinence and the effectiveness of different support measures. These insights will help optimize future alcohol prevention strategies and provide a valuable contribution to public health efforts in Switzerland, potentially reaching individuals with limited treatment access or those who fear stigmatization.