HR teams are being urged to watch for signs of alcohol related wellbeing issues as the annual Dry January campaign gives way to what addiction specialists are calling a “Febru-Lairy” effect.
While millions of people across the UK use January to reset their relationship with alcohol, experts say a sizeable minority struggle with the challenge. For some, the pressure of abstaining for a month can lead to heavier drinking afterwards, creating potential risks for attendance, performance and mental health in the workplace.
The pattern has prompted calls for employers to treat post January drinking behaviours as a wellbeing issue rather than a lifestyle choice.
Research Points to a Risk of Rebound Drinking
A review by Brown University in the United States found that people who failed to complete Dry January were more likely to drink at higher levels afterwards than they had before the challenge began.
Recent surveys suggest around 70 percent of participants complete the month successfully, while roughly 30 percent do not. That means millions of people could be entering February feeling disappointed, frustrated or eager to compensate for lost time.
The same research found that 60 percent of participants experienced alcohol cravings during January. Those reporting cravings were about four times more likely to abandon the challenge.
For most people, Dry January delivers benefits such as better sleep, improved mood and lower blood pressure. But specialists warn these gains are less likely for those who simply endure the month without reflecting on their underlying habits.
What Is ‘Febru-Lairy’?
“Febru-Lairy” is an informal term coined by addiction specialists at recovery support service Rehabs UK to describe the tendency for some people to binge drink in February as a reward for abstaining in January.
Rather than seeing January as a chance to rethink alcohol use, some participants treat it as a test to be survived. When the month ends, they feel entitled to celebrate with heavy drinking.
Lester Morse, founder and director of Rehabs UK, said that for many people this approach is harmless, but for others it can be a warning sign.
“For most, having a celebratory drink and joking around is all in good fun,” he said. “But for those that feel the need to make up for lost time and struggle to control their alcohol intake in February, it may be a sign of a problematic relationship with the substance.”
The Binge and Purge Trap
Morse said Dry January can sometimes create a false sense of control. “Events like Dry January don’t work for everyone because they can trap people in a binge and purge cycle,” he said. “The mindset of earning a binge after going sober for a while can be dangerous.”
Data supports this concern. Around 15 percent of people who did not complete Dry January reported drinking to the point of drunkenness more often in the months that followed, compared with about 6 percent of those who finished the challenge.
“When you treat sobriety as a month long pass or fail test, you’re just creating a sense of deprivation that makes the drink even more attractive,” Morse said. “People white knuckle it through January only to hit it twice as hard in Febru Lairy because they haven’t actually changed their relationship with alcohol.”
Why It Matters for HR Teams
From a workplace wellbeing perspective, February can be a sensitive period. A sudden increase in alcohol use can affect sleep, concentration, mood and reliability, all of which have a direct impact on performance.
Morse said warning signs are often more about attitudes than obvious consumption. “In the workplace, red flags around an employee’s relationship to alcohol are sometimes less about how much a person appears to physically consume, and more about their attitude towards it,” he said.
He added that HR managers should be alert to changes in behaviour. “If an employee views Dry January as a horrendous experience they’ve managed to survive, and February as an opportunity to make up for lost time, this could indicate that the mental obsession with alcohol never went away.”
Other signs to watch for include irritability, declining performance, restlessness as weekends approach or frequent talk about celebrating the end of January.
Understanding Withdrawal and Health Effects
For some employees, going suddenly from regular drinking to complete abstinence can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, and the body can become accustomed to its presence.
Common symptoms of withdrawal can include hand tremors, sweating, anxiety, low mood and difficulty sleeping. In more severe cases, seizures or visual hallucinations can occur.
Experts stress that anyone who experiences serious withdrawal symptoms should seek medical advice before attempting to stop drinking abruptly. Safe detox often requires gradual reduction under professional supervision.
Handling Concerns Sensitively
The challenge for HR teams is to respond in a way that supports wellbeing rather than creating stigma. Morse said conversations about alcohol should be approached carefully.
“If you’re concerned about an employee’s post Dry January drinking, it’s time to initiate a sensitive and non judgemental conversation, in line with company conduct guidelines,” he said.
Clear policies on alcohol and wellbeing, access to confidential support and an open culture around mental health can all help employees seek help before problems escalate.
A Broader Wellbeing Opportunity
For employers, the February period can be an opportunity to reinforce positive messages about healthy habits, balanced lifestyles and available support services.
Rather than promoting Dry January as a one off challenge, wellbeing professionals suggest encouraging longer term reflection on stress, workload and coping strategies.
With millions of people taking part each year, the sober curious movement is now firmly mainstream. But the research indicates that how employees respond afterwards matters just as much as the month itself.
Recognising the potential risks of the Febru-Lairy effect could help workplaces protect both productivity and employee wellbeing in the weeks ahead.