Try Dry January and improve your health
People across Stockton-on-Tees are being urged to give up alcohol in January to improve their health and wellbeing.
What is Dry January?
The annual Dry January challenge encourages friends, families and colleagues to come together to give up alcohol for 31 days.
Why try Dry January?
Those who take part in the challenge say they feel healthier, save money, sleep better and lose a few pounds in weight.
By re-setting their relationship with alcohol, many Dry January participants also report benefits all year round with more drink free days and drinking less when they do drink.
What about once January is done?
Taking up the challenge of giving up alcohol for a month is a great achievement but the long-term benefits of reducing your alcohol intake are numerous.
The UK's Chief Medical Officers recommend drinking no more than 14 units per week, spread over three or more days, and with at least two days off.
There are two units in a standard 175ml glass of wine and three units in a pint of strong lager, beer or cider.
Dry January is an excellent way for people to learn more about their habits, how to change them, enabling you to cut down longer-term.
What do councillors think?
Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: "It is easy to over indulge over the Christmas period and this includes the amount of alcohol consumed as people celebrate the festive season with family and friends.
"Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink brings so many benefits - we know people who drink too much are at risk from around 60 different medical conditions including liver disease, high blood pressure, depression, and seven types of cancer. In fact, alcohol is the biggest cause of death for people aged 15 to 49 in the UK.
"Cutting back on alcohol reduces your risk of developing these conditions. Dry January is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a month free from alcohol and consider making healthy lifestyle changes for good. I urge people to take part and I am sure everyone who does will feel positive changes to their mental and physical wellbeing."
How do I find out more?
Sign up for Dry January, or download the brand-new app 'Try Dry: The DryJanuary app'.
The app provides support and also allows people to track units, calories and money saved by not drinking.