People in Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to get behind the national Dry January campaign and join millions of others ditching booze for a month.
According to a YouGov poll an estimated 3.1 million in the UK are planning to stop drinking alcohol for the month to feel healthier, save money and re-set their drinking habits.
Public health staff from Bath and North East Somerset Council will be out and about signing people up for the challenge during the first week of January for those who want to join in the campaign.
A YouGov poll of 2,086 participants showed up some other interesting trends:
- The group most likely be planning to do Dry January this year are those with children aged 12-16, as well as those with three or more children in their household (11%).
- Those aged 35-54 were most likely to be planning to do Dry January (7%).
- Those working full-time are more likely to do Dry January (7%) than those who do not work, who are working part-time, full-time students or retired.
- People who have tried Dry January in the past are more likely to want to sign up for support, suggesting a higher proportion see its value compared to people who have not previously attempted Dry January.
Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Concern/Alcohol Research UK, said: “Dry January is a national campaign which changes lives, giving people the impetus and support they need to re-set their relationship with alcohol for January and beyond.
“The benefits are astounding: 49% of people lose weight, while 62% sleep better and a whopping 79% save money.
“Alcohol is the biggest cause of death, ill-health and disability for people aged 15-49 in the UK but these tragedies are all totally avoidable.
“Dry January is growing year-on-year as more people across the country decide to take control of their drinking and reap the benefits, both in how they feel now and for their future health.”
Public Health England, which has endorsed Dry January, said: “Dry January is based on sound behavioural principles and our previous evaluation of the campaign shows that for some people it can help them re-set their drinking patterns for weeks or even months after completing the challenge.”
Two-thirds of people who attempt Dry January make it through the month without drinking, while 72% maintain lower levels of harmful drinking than before Dry January six months later.
People can sign up for Dry January at dryjanuary.org.uk or by downloading the Dry January & Beyond app via the App Store or Google Play.
Councillor Vic Pritchard, (Conservative, Chew Valley South), cabinet member for Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing, said; “People who sign up to Dry January are more likely to make it through to the end of the month without drinking.
“They get access to support, tips and tricks, prize draws, and the app, with features including a unit calculator, calorie counter and money-saved tracker.”
