You’d think being Spider-Man is the peak of human existence. For Tom Holland, the view from the top was actually pretty blurry. In January 2022, he decided to do what millions of us do every year: Dry January. It was supposed to be a simple reset after a "very, very boozy" Christmas. But instead of feeling refreshed, he felt panicked.
He couldn't stop thinking about a drink.
It’s wild to think that one of the most successful actors on the planet was counting down the minutes until noon just so he could justify a beer. He eventually realized he was "enslaved" to the bottle. Now, four years later, Tom Holland sober is a completely different person than the guy who used to polish off mini-bars in hotel rooms.
The Dry January realization that changed everything
Most people fail Dry January because they miss the taste or the social aspect. For Tom, it was deeper. It was scary. He found himself constantly checking the clock. He was waking up thinking about drinking. That’s a heavy realization for someone in their mid-twenties.
When he finished January, he didn't feel like he’d won. He felt like he was barely hanging on. So, he decided to "punish" himself by extending it to February. February was even harder.
He was struggling to go to the pub. He couldn't just have a lime and soda without feeling like an outcast. This is where most people cave. The social pressure of "pub culture" in the UK is brutal. But Holland decided that if he could make it to his birthday—June 1st—he’d prove to himself he didn't have a problem.
Why June 1st was the turning point
By the time June rolled around, the "punishment" had turned into a gift. He was sleeping better. He was handling stress on set without losing his cool. Honestly, he was just happier.
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He realized he wasn't just "young and enjoying a drink." He was dependent. By June 1, 2022, he decided he was done for good. He hasn't looked back since.
"I was addicted to a fake life"
In several candid interviews, most notably with Jay Shetty and Rich Roll, Holland has been brutally honest about why he drank. It wasn't just because he liked the taste of ale. It was a shield.
- Social Anxiety: He felt he couldn't be "fun" or "social" at Hollywood parties without being drunk.
- Insecurity: Alcohol masked his nerves when meeting people he didn't know.
- Work Pressure: The film industry is notorious for heavy drinking cultures on set and at wrap parties.
It’s kinda crazy how we normalize that, right? We see a celebrity at a gala with a glass of champagne and think "living the dream." But for Tom, it was a way to hide. He admitted that he was "masking insecurity with stupidity."
One of the most sobering moments (pun intended) was a conversation with his doctor. Apparently, his liver wasn't doing too great. When you're 25 and a doctor tells you your liver is struggling, that’s a massive wake-up call. It's one thing to feel hungover; it's another to have a medical professional tell you you're damaging your internal organs before you've even reached thirty.
Building Bero: From sobriety to business
You can’t stay sober in a vacuum. You need alternatives. Tom noticed that when he went out with his mates, he felt like he was missing out on the ritual of drinking, even if he didn't want the alcohol. This led him to launch Bero, his own non-alcoholic beer brand, in late 2024.
It’s not just a vanity project. He spent about a year developing the recipes with Grant Wood, a brewing veteran who spent decades at Boston Beer. They launched with three main flavors that are basically a map of Tom's life:
- Kingston Golden Pils: Named after his hometown, Kingston upon Thames.
- Edge Hill Hazy IPA: A nod to the school where he started his journey.
- Noon Wheat: Named after his dog, Noon.
He recently added Double Tasty, a West Coast IPA, to the lineup. It’s been a massive hit at Target, largely because it tastes like actual beer, not just hopped-up soda. For Tom, Bero is about "fitting in" without having to compromise his health. It’s his way of making sure nobody else feels like they have to stay home just because they aren't drinking.
The "Spider-Man" effect on his mental health
Staying Tom Holland sober wasn't just about the physical stuff. It was about his brain. While filming The Crowded Room, a pretty intense psychological thriller, he found himself struggling to detach from the character. He even considered shaving his head just to "get rid" of the role.
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Being sober gave him the "mental clarity" to realize he needed a break. He took a year off from acting to focus on his family, his golf game, and his sobriety. He’s been very open about the fact that he finds social media, specifically Instagram and Twitter, to be "overstimulating."
He’s now at a point where he doesn't feel the need to attend every L.A. party. He’d rather be at home or on a golf course. He’s even influenced his mom to get sober, which he says is one of the things he’s most proud of.
How to use Tom's journey for your own "Dry" month
If you're reading this because you're worried about your own drinking, Tom’s story offers a pretty clear roadmap. It’s not about a "grand epiphany." It’s about a series of small, difficult choices.
- Start with a trial: Don't commit to "forever" on day one. Try 30 days.
- Notice the "preoccupation": If you're counting down the minutes until you can drink, pay attention to that feeling. It's information.
- Move the goalposts: If 30 days is hard, try 60. Then 90.
- Find your "Bero": Find a replacement ritual. Whether it's a non-alcoholic beer, a specific tea, or a workout, you need something to fill the gap.
- Check the stats: Tom is now roughly 4 years sober. He calls it a "brand-new identity."
Actionable insights for your own path
If you want to follow in his footsteps, here is what you can actually do starting today.
- Audit your social circle: Tom realized he didn't need to be at every celebrity party to be happy. Identify which social events actually bring you joy and which ones just require you to be drunk to tolerate them.
- Get a check-up: If you're worried, see a doctor. Sometimes a blood test is the "scary" motivation you need to make a change.
- Don't hide it: One reason Tom stayed successful is he was honest with his support system, including Zendaya and his family. Secrets grow in the dark.
- Invest in "the best version of yourself": Tom says he's fitter, healthier, and a better partner now. Remind yourself of what you're gaining, not just what you're giving up.
Living a life without alcohol in a world that's obsessed with it isn't easy, but as Tom Holland has shown, it might just be the best thing you ever do for yourself.
Next Steps for Your Health Journey
- Try a 30-day reset: Use an app like Try Dry to track your progress and see how much money you save.
- Explore NA options: Grab a pack of Bero or another craft non-alcoholic beer to keep the "hand-to-mouth" habit without the hangover.
- Listen to the experts: Check out the Rich Roll Podcast episode with Tom Holland for a deeper look into the psychology of his recovery.