Drinkers are encouraged to take a break from the booze this January – and have a dry one.
Somerset County Council is backing ‘Dry January’, the national campaign led by Alcohol Change UK which aims to encourage drinkers to give up alcohol for the month and reset their relationship.
During Dry January last year, 88 per cent of those taking part saved money; 71 per cent slept better and 58 per cent lost weight.
Trudi Grant, Somerset County Council’s Director of Public Health said: “More and more people are taking part in Dry January, which is great news. It can help kick-start a change in routine and is a great way to start the New Year.
“You will start to feel some of the health benefits such as sleeping better, having more energy and losing weight – and it also helps save money.
“It’s not about stopping drinking altogether, it just encourages a short break from alcohol. And it has been shown to help people in the longer term to drink a bit less and stick to the low risk drinking guidelines.”
Some good reasons for giving Dry January a go this year:
- Drinking alcohol every day can easily push people above the recommended weekly guidelines of 14 units a week for men and women (that’s equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine).
- January is a good time to change a drinking habit, have a break from alcohol, and feel some of the many short-term benefits.
- Even six months later, evidence from Dry January shows that two-thirds of participants are still drinking less.
For helpful tips and advice on reducing your drinking, check out https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/for-your-body/drink-less/
Anyone wanting to talk to someone confidentially about their drinking can call Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service on 0300 303 87 88 or visit the website: https://www.turning-point.co.uk/sdas
Ends
For more information, please contact the press office on 01823 355020 or email pressoffice@somerset.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
Lower risk drinking levels are:
- No more than 14 units* a week for men and women.
• Don’t ‘save up’ the units – spread drinking evenly over three or more days.
• Have several drink-free days each week.
*14 units is equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine.
There’s lots of advice from Alcohol Change here: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/
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