Take a break from drink to start the year says Dr Richard Piper – CEO of Alcohol Change UK

An alcoholic drink with a forbidden sign overlaid — Photo by Sandra Seitamaa on Unsplash

Dear Editor,

The festive season brings excitement for many, but it can also be a time of indulgence, and perhaps drinking more alcohol than we would like. As we head into a new year, many people will be wanting to feel a little fitter and healthier.

In fact, our research shows that one in four of us would like to drink less alcohol in 2024, and one in six UK adults (16%) plan to take a break from alcohol this January.

Dry January is the perfect place to start! It shows us that we don’t need alcohol to have fun, relax, celebrate, unwind or anything else. What’s more, so many people tell us they have an even better time when not drinking alcohol, as they feel more present, can remember the evening more, and enjoy waking up hangover-free, feeling fresh and energetic. We know that taking that first step to change habits can be hard, but research shows that those who take part in Dry January from Alcohol Change UK double their chances of success, through access to our free Try Dry app, daily emails and a supportive online community.

A month off alcohol won’t just mean short-term boosts to your wellbeing, but has been proven to lead to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes risk, as well as lower cancer-related proteins in the blood.

So if you’re looking to make long-term changes for the better, take a look at dryjanuary.org.uk for more.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Richard Piper – CEO of Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind Dry January

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