Dry January and Beyond!

Alcohol-related illness and injury puts a huge strain on the NHS with alcohol also being the second biggest risk factor for cancer. Liver disease is one of the few major causes of premature mortality with deaths going up by 40 per cent over the last decade.

For those of you who have nearly completed 31 days of being alcohol free, as part of committing to Dry January, keep up the good work! For those of you who have made a conscious decision to cut down on your booze this month, you’re also doing the right thing for your physical and mental health. If you’ve tried to reduce or stop your drinking but found it too challenging, then support and advice are available to help you cut back.

If you feel the need to drink alcohol every day you may need to seek help.

To give you some encouragement, participants in Dry January have reported experiencing:

• Improved sleep
• Improved mood
• More energy
• Better mental health and concentration
• Brighter skin
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced risk of alcohol related illnesses
• Financial gains

Dry January may soon be over for some, but if you feel ready now, then it’s not too late to start thinking about your own relationship with alcohol and what you would like to change.

Information on drinking sensibly, knowing your limits and getting support for alcohol abuse, is available on the Frimley Health and Care website.