8.5 million people planning to take a break from alcohol this January
Lyre’s currently sells one bottle every 30 seconds in over 60 countries and is the Official Wine & Spirit of Dry January® an initiative organised by Alcohol Change UK, the brand looks to promote mindful drinking and providing consumers with sophisticated alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages they are the perfect alternative for those looking to partake in Dry January®, or simply the sober curious.
Alcohol Change UK’s recent study found that more than one in four people (28%) want to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink in 2024 might we thought might be of interest for any trends led pieces or health specific features you might be working on in the new year.
- 8.5 million people planning to take a break from alcohol this January
- More than one in four people (28%) want to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink in 2024
- New research1 from Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind Dry January® has revealed that amongst UK adults (excluding non-drinkers), 30% of men and 26% 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%) plan to take a break from alcohol this January.
- 21% said that they used drink to cope with financial worries and the rising cost of living
New research from Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind Dry January® has revealed that amongst UK adults (excluding non-drinkers), 30% of men and 26% 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%) plan to take a break from alcohol this January.
As the year draws to a close, just under one in five adults (18%, 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%) of this group saying they wanted to cut down in 2024.
Within this group, almost a quarter of people (23%) 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%).
Alcohol Change UK is the independent UK charity working for a world free from alcohol harm and it runs Dry January® – an annual campaign which enables people to take a break from alcohol.
Dr 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% 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% 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%) 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. The main benefit for me was better sleep and not waking up with a headache in the morning. I also felt that my liver was thanking me 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 later2. 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 blood3.
Details of how to take part in Dry January® and how to download the Try Dry® app from Alcohol Change UK can be found at dryjanuary.org.uk.
