The “Sober January” or “January Challenge”, which launches this this month its second edition in France, consists of not drinking alcohol for a month.
For the associations behind the initiative, there was no question of canceling this edition because of the coronavirus epidemic. On the contrary, they wish to set up this meeting definitively in France.
“The challenge for January is to try to take a break. If we are not capable of it, we must ask ourselves questions, “said Bernard Basset, president of the Addictions France association.
After ten months of pandemic, we had somewhat forgotten. However the “Dry January” or “January Challenge” returns this year for its second edition. We remind you of the principle: participants agree to not to drink alcohol for a month. Last year, a Frenchman on had tried the experiment.
A special year for associations that want to continue to raise awareness about the problems associated with alcohol consumption despite the coronavirus epidemic. In May, just after the first confinement, % of French people told Public Health France that their alcohol consumption increased during this period . For 65%, it had remained stable. Bernard Basset, president of the Addictions France association, who participates in the edition 2020 of the “January Challenge”, answered questions from 11 Minutes.
Curfews, confinements, illness … After everything we’ve been through this year, this edition 2021 of the dry january will it be special?
During confinement, if part of the population increased their alcohol consumption, most people maintained or decreased it, because the opportunities to drink decreased in 2020, by definition . Those who drank during outings with friends or on special occasions thus reduced their consumption. This is a positive result!
However, there are invariants: pandemic or not, the major determinants of health remain the same and alcohol is one of them. The coronavirus epidemic will be overcome, but alcohol consumption problems remain. We also want to set up this meeting over time, so despite the context, we have not canceled it.
Will we be helped by health measures such as the closing of bars or curfew?
It is clear that these obstacles to alcohol consumption lead to a drop in consumption among a large part of the population. It probably makes this January challenge easier.
What advice for those who are still hesitating? 
They must try and find the benefits on their health . We know these benefits: better sleep, more concentration, smoother and tighter skin. We even have long-term benefits because the people who took part in the “January challenge” consume less alcohol afterwards. – French Society of Alcohology (@SFAlcoologie) January 4, 2021
On social networks, we have put in place help so that the thousands of participants encourage each other, that they know that they are not alone but they are part of a larger mobilization. There are even little tips on how to deal with refusing to drink when in meetings with friends. It’s a difficult situation that we all encounter. Me, for example, when I see friends, I start by saying: “It’s January, I don’t drink alcohol. Today, it is rather viewed with sympathy: we see a stronger acceptance of people, it is no longer laughed at as before despite the significant relationship of our society to alcohol.