New research from Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind Dry January, has revealed that amongst UK adults (excluding non-drinkers), 30 per cent of men and 26 per cent of women would like to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink in 2024. The new figures come as one in six UK adults (16 per cent) plan to take a break from alcohol this January.

As the year draws to a close, just under one in five adults (18 per cent, excluding non-drinkers) said they drank more in 2023 than 2022 – but there are signs that there is strong public appetite to reduce the amount of alcohol being drunk, with more than half (57 per cent) of this group saying they wanted to cut down in 2024.

Within this group, almost a quarter of people (23 per cent) cited having more opportunities to socialise or celebrate with others as a reason for drinking more. Drinking to try to cope with financial worries and the rising cost of living was the second most popular reason (21 per cent).

Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, said, “Our research shows that the reasons for drinking more over the past year are varied; many people are still worried about rising costs and are using alcohol as an attempt to cope, but we’re also seeing people who are socialising more freely, perhaps as people continue to enjoy their post-pandemic freedom.

“No matter the circumstances, it’s encouraging that three in five of those who have found themselves drinking more want to cut down in 2024. But we know that taking the first step can feel daunting. However, 67 per cent of people who take part in Dry January and access our free tools and resources have a completely alcohol-free month, compared to just 33 per cent of those trying to go dry on their own. No matter what people’s individual reasons are for wanting to cut back, Alcohol Change UK has expert-designed tools like our brilliant Try Dry app to keep you motivated, inspired and on-track through January and beyond.”

The survey also revealed that many of us continue to struggle to keep on top of our drinking, with one in five people (21 per cent) now regularly drinking more than the recommended maximum of 14 units a week (equivalent to six pints of normal strength beer or lager or a bottle and a half of wine, per week).

Alec’s story

For Alec, aged 34 from Cumbria, a medical scare and the loss of his father who struggled for years with alcohol dependency, provided the motivation he needed to do things differently.

He said, “Life seemed to be throwing out curveballs left, right, and centre, I couldn’t seem to catch a break and began to use alcohol as a coping mechanism. The once warm tingle and laughter associated with meeting up with friends, having a few drinks and a laugh turned into drinking heavily at home alone to dull the pain of a life I was increasingly becoming unhappier in.

“But I got lucky. After being given the all-clear after a medical scare, I decided enough was enough, I had to change. I discovered Alcohol Change UK and their Dry January challenge and thought I’d give it a bash.

“The information I gained from my experience was invaluable. It really got me thinking differently about alcohol and its effects on physical and mental health and relationships. The Try Dry app is an excellent tool to help you keep track of your goals in January and beyond, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering making a change to their drinking habits.”

Emily’s story

Emily, aged 64, used to enjoy a glass or two of wine over the course of an evening. But this soon turned into a bottle every time which soon became the norm. But Dry January really helped her to take back control.

She said, “Occasionally, I'd take a day off drinking, but it wasn't until I decided to give Dry January a go that I really felt the benefits of a longer break. My main benefit was better sleep and not waking up with a headache in the morning. I also felt my liver was thanking and cheering me on.”

Research shows that those who take part in Dry January from Alcohol Change UK double their chances of success, and have more energy, improved concentration, boosted mood, save money, and have significantly improved wellbeing and lower alcohol risks six months later . A month off alcohol has been proven to lead to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes risk, as well as lower cancer-related proteins in the blood.

For more information visit https://alcoholchange.org.uk/

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