Members of the Council are urging people across the district to join them in signing up to Dry January 2014 – a challenge to stay alcohol free for 31 days.
Whatever your reasons are – whether cutting back after Christmas, tightening the purse strings or losing a few pounds – this is a great opportunity to set yourself a target for the New Year and start building a healthier future.
Some of those who have already signed up include the Council’s Leader, Director of Public Health and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, as well as the Chief Executive of the drug and alcohol support service DHI. You too can follow in their footsteps and join in with the Dry January journey.
Councillor Simon Allen (Lib-Dem, Radstock), Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Chair of the Bath and North East Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “A period of time off from the booze can provide an opportunity for people to take stock of their relationship with alcohol during the rest of the year.
“During Dry January, Bath & North East Somerset Council is encouraging everyone across the district to get involved in this challenging and thought-provoking campaign. We hope that taking this one step will have a positive impact on their own health and help improve the lives of others.”
As well as the incentive of losing a few pounds by cutting the calories – and saving money – through ditching the drink, those taking up the challenge can raise money to help Alcohol Concern make a real difference and raise awareness of the problem of alcohol misuse.
Dr Bruce Laurence, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Livers and brains are hard-working organs and by the end of the festive season they deserve a break from the torrents of mulled wine, beer and bottles of bubbly. A month off the booze sets them up nicely for the year to come, and I find that exercising a bit of self-control now and then can be good for the spirit too.”
Rosie Philips, Chief Executive of DHI, added: “Despite all we know about alcohol, we have such an odd response to messages around moderation, in a way we simply don’t around cream cakes, chocolate and other such indulgencies. It seems it’s still socially unacceptable not to drink.
“Hopefully this campaign will help to enhance our understanding of how hard it is for those with an addiction to abstain, as well as a reminder for the majority of us to keep our indulgences in check for the sake of our long term health.”
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, has also signed up to the initiative. He said: “I urge everyone to rally round with their colleagues, family and friends and take the Dry January challenge.
“Set yourselves a goal, plan something fun to do instead of drinking – then at the end of the 31 days see for yourself whether reducing your alcohol intake has made a difference and think about how you want to take it forward.”
For further help and support check out the websites www.dryjanuary.org.uk and www.nhs.uk/change4life.
You can also call the national 24 hour helpline on 0800 9178282 or for local help and advice call DHI Bath on 01225 329411.
