First of all, getting to 18 days without a sip of alcohol is a massive achievement, and you should be seriously proud of yourself.
And the good news is that just over two weeks of Dry January is likely to already have a positive effect on your body, according to the experts at Alcohol Change UK.
"The Dry January challenge started in 2013 with 4,000 people. Now in it's 13th year it's come a long way since then, with over 200,000 taking part in 2025," the charity says.
Professor Kevin Moore, consultant in Liver Health Services at the University College London Medical Centre, explains that 'stopping drinking for a month alters liver fat, cholesterol and blood sugar and helps lose weight'.
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"If someone had a health product that did all that in one month, they would be raking it in," he said.
Changes two weeks into Dry January
Health
"If you’ve been suffering from acid reflux, a burning sensation in the throat also known as heartburn, you should be noticing a reduction by now," says alcohol consultant Lauren Booker.
The expert noted that your 'brain fog' might be wearing off, and that you 'may find it easier to get up in the mornings'.
As well as being 'less prone to mood swings', you'll also not miss those weekend hangovers.
Drinking more water
"Are you drinking more water? Now that you’ve been off alcohol for nearly two weeks, you may notice that you’re thirstier," Booker says.
"It’s not that you need more fluids than normal, just that you’re more in tune with just how much you do need."
She explains that it's important to 'stay hydrated' and that you'll thank yourself heading into week four.
Exercising
Booker says that 'there couldn't be a better time' to work out than when you've decided to cut out alcohol.
"Alcohol is a muscle relaxant so regular drinking can reduce muscle development. Now you’re dry, all that hard work you put in at the gym (ahem) might finally start paying off," she said.
"If you’re not a regular exerciser but have been thinking about giving it a go."
Why you're not experiencing any benefits
Not feeling any benefits after week two can be 'down to how much you were drinking before', as well as other 'lifestyle changes'.
"That doesn’t mean your month off isn’t doing you good, and it doesn’t mean you won’t feel better over the longer term – so don’t give up if you’re not experiencing these effects," she said.
However, if you decide to extend your sobriety past Dry January, then a year could see your body go through even more changes.
Topics: Health, Food And Drink, Dry January, Alcohol
Anish Vij