Exploring Changes In Participation In Dry January Between 2020 And 2021

Background: To explore the level of participation in Dry January during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021, and potential shifts in the sociodemographic and drinking characteristics of those taking part. Methods: We analysed data from: i) 1863 increasing and higher risk drinkers responding to a nationally representative survey of adults in England in January and February 2020 and 2021, and ii) 104,598 users of the ‘Try Dry’ app, the official aid to those participating in Dry January 2020 and 2021 in the UK. We used logistic regression, t-tests and chi-squared tests to compare the prevalence and sociodemographic composition of i) increasing and higher risk drinkers reporting a Dry January-motivated reduction attempt and ii) users of the ‘Try Dry’ app in 2020 and 2021. Results: : The proportion of increasing and higher risk drinkers reporting Dry January-motivated reduction attempts increased from 4% in 2020 to 8% in 2021 (OR=2.07, 95% CI=1.38-3.11, p<.001) with no changes detected in sociodemographic composition. The number of Try Dry app users in 2021 increased by 34.8% relative to 2020. App users in 2021 were two years older on average [p<.001, d=.02], with a 2% increase in the proportion of female app users [p<.001, vs. <.01]. Conclusions: : Higher participation in Dry January 2021 relative to 2020 indicates increased engagement with a period of temporary abstinence following the COVID-19 related lockdowns in England and the UK, which is positive in the context of increasing alcohol consumption throughout the pandemic.