Drink Free Days are not just for January

Evidence from the Drinkaware Monitor 2018 has revealed that whilst men are more likely than women to be drinking over the low risk drinking guidelines of 14 units a week and to have attempted to cut down on their drinking, they are less likely to be doing so by using moderation techniques, like having more Drink Free Days.^[1]

In the light of these findings, the charity is urging people to consider moderating across the year by taking more drink free days as a way of reducing the risks to their health from alcohol. The charity is particularly targeting those who may have taken part in this year’s Dry January and encouraging them to avoid reverting to their former drinking habits once their month of abstinence is over.

The facts about alcohol are simple - the more alcohol people drink, the greater their risk of developing several serious potentially life limiting health conditions, including high blood pressure, liver and heart disease, as well as seven types of cancer.

Regular drinking also increases the amount of calories being consumed, which contributes to weight gain and obesity.

But these risks can be reduced through moderation and something as simple as taking more drink free days each week can have a real and lasting impact on health and wellbeing.

Former Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Benidorm and Loose Women star Sherrie Hewson, who has often spoken about her own drinking is supporting the campaign. She said:

“Many of us enjoy a drink, but it can be very easy for our drinking to creep up on us. A glass of wine here and a pint of beer there all adds up.

“It’s great that so many people take part in Dry January every year, but it can be really easy to go back to the old bad habits in February.

“Taking more drink free days throughout the week can have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing.

Commenting, Dr Sarah Jarvis GP , Medical Adviser to Drinkaware said:

“Drinkaware is here to help people who want to make changes to their drinking that last beyond Dry January.

“The fact is that the more alcohol we drink, the greater the risks to our health and wellbeing.

“Taking several drink free days each week helps reduce these risks and is simple and easy to do.”

References

While men are more likely to drink over the low risk drinking guidelines than women (28% vs. 12%) and are also more likely to say that they have at some point attempted to cut down on their alcohol consumption (45% vs. 39%).