The State Of Dry January | The Current
Oar Health Editorial Team
Published: Jan 06, 2026
Last updated: Jan 06, 2026
Welcome back to The Current, your source for the latest news, perspective and resources from Oar Health.
The Oar Perspective: From Movement To Mainstream
Dry January isn’t just a small movement anymore. It’s mainstream. Nearly half of regular drinkers have taken up the challenge at least once.
That’s just one insight from our new State of Dry January report.
The report drills into important nuances of this growing but little-studied cultural phenomenon:
— 73% of people who have attempted Dry January have successfully completed the challenge, evidence that it is possible to change one’s drinking habits. Sometimes for a month, sometimes for life
— Cravings and peer pressure are common and make staying dry substantially harder.
— Support helps. And comes in many forms. For example, 89% of participants who put medication in their toolkits successfully completed the challenge
— Staying dry is not the only measure of success. As Oar Health senior adviser Dr.Joseph Volpicelli, MD, PhD says, "Dry January is not a morality test. It's a 31 day experiment: take alcohol out and notice what changes — in your sleep, mood, energy and cravings. Even if you slip, you still learn. The goal is not perfection.”
AUD In The News
What Happens To My Body During Dry January? | New York Times
“The physical benefits are likely numerous. But there may be psychological ones, too … Beyond the immediate health benefits, Dry January may help you break bad habits, reflect on the role that alcohol plays in your life — and give you an opportunity to make healthier choices long after January ends.”
Executive Binge Drinking: When The “Off Switch” Disappears | Psychology Today
“Binge drinking among executives and professionals is a serious problem that often hides in plain sight. Unlike chronic daily drinking, it is marked by prolonged episodes of heavy alcohol use, frequently followed by a rapid return to high-level functioning and extended periods of little or no drinking.”
Is This The Ozempic of Alcohol? | New York Post
“Thirst-zepatide? A cheap pill is being billed as the ‘Ozempic of alcohol’ for its ability to reduce appetites for booze, the way GLP-1 drugs curb food cravings. Naltrexone … decreases the urge for alcohol by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, reducing the dopamine-reward effect that people get from drinking.”
About The Author
Oar is a telemedicine platform that makes science-backed, medication-assisted addiction treatment approachable and accessible for millions of consumers who feel excluded by the current treatment landscape and who may have a wide range of goals, from moderation to abstinence.
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- ¹ Oar Health membership plans include access to the Oar Health platform, virtual consultations with a healthcare professional, and medication if prescribed by a healthcare provider. 3 month membership plan costs $297, equating to $99/mo.
- ² Self-reported by members after 6 months of Oar Health membership.
- ³ Verywell Health survey of Oar Health members, published March, 2023.
- ⁴ Prescription medication is available only if prescribed by a licensed clinician.
- ⁵ Compounded medications are prepared based on a prescription from a healthcare provider. They are not reviewed by the FDA for safety or efficacy.
Naltrexone is a prescription medication used to treat alcohol dependence. It is available only if prescribed by a healthcare provider. You should not take naltrexone if you use opioids, including prescription drugs or street drugs that contain opioids, as naltrexone can cause sudden opioid withdrawal. Common side effects of naltrexone include nausea, sleepiness, headache, dizziness, vomiting, decreased appetite, painful joints, muscle cramps, and trouble sleeping. These are not all of the side effects of naltrexone. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
