Damp January - Background

Last updated on Jan 24, 2025

This is part of our series of articles about Dry January & Damp January

**What is Damp January?**

Damp January is a newer, adjacent movement that broadens the Dry January to include people drinking less instead of not at all. While Dry January is not intended to be only about total abstinence (completely stopping drinking), the public perception, shaped by reporting, is that dry = no drinking. Damp January or Dryish January are not official public health initiatives.

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Damp January is for people who do not desire - or may not be able to - stop drinking.

**Why is there Damp January media coverage when Dry January exists?**

The inclusion of Damp January into media coverage could mean a few different things:

It may be responsive to Dry January media coverage that has not acknowledged the challenges people face when reducing or stopping drinking. Stopping drinking altogether is more difficult than many people suspect.
It may be from personal experience. The journalists may have received feedback on Dry January from peers or personal experience and are looking for a new way to talk about alcohol.
It may be the media’s inclination toward “new” things. That is, after years of covering Dry January, writing about the "novel" and less "strict" version (Damp January) catches more or different audience attention.
It may be because commercial interests are pushing Damp January in press releases and promotional campaigns and these efforts are successful.
It may be because Damp January is perceived to be less of a lifestyle change compared to Dry January. This is especially important because alcohol continues to be a predominant component of socializing for many people and as a culture, we have not done enough to create spaces or peer relationships friendly to people not drinking or drinking less.

Taken together, we know newsrooms are complicated and that stories can come from many places. Our role at Reporting on Addiction is to help you improve the accuracy and empathy of this coverage.

Actually defining Damp January

To have meaning, Damp January needs to be defined. This can only be done by the person reducing drinking. The flexibility of Damp January can be considered a strength; however, this flexibility includes a risk of maintaining the status quo, including for commercial interests or being so broad as to be meaningless and not lead to positive behavior change. To avoid these risks, help guide your audience through what steps they can take to set and meet goals related to substance use. Include drinking guidelines from relevant health agencies to help your audience understand what “less” can look like and what recommendations are around alcohol use.