New Year 2024 – 4/10 people who drink alcohol have thought about cutting down
CUTTING cancer risk, losing weight, more energy and a healthier relationship with alcohol. They’re the benefits of putting alcohol top of New Year resolutions this January.
It comes as new research shows 4/10 of North East drinkers have thought in the last 12 months about reducing the amount they drink.
Balance is again launching its Alcohol is Toxic campaign for New Year from December 28. The powerful campaign is unlike any alcohol campaign seen before in the UK and follows the journey of alcohol through the body, mutating cells and leading to the formation of a tumour. It has been developed with input from doctors to depict the evidence on how alcohol causes cancer.
You can visit the ReduceMyRisk.tv website to find tips and advice, free tools to cut down like the Drink Free Days app, and links to local alcohol support services.
Taking time off alcohol in January and more drink free days are important ways to cut down and reduce your risks in 2024 according to Balance. A survey of 701 people in the North East who drink alcohol found 41% had thought about reducing how much they drink in the previous 12 months, and of those:
- 47% were motivated by a healthier lifestyle and 30% to prevent future health issues from alcohol
- 39% were motivated by losing weight and 31% by saving money
- 1 in 5 (19%) were motivated by improving mental health and 17% don’t like the way alcohol makes them feel.
It also found:
- 27% of people who drink admit they would love to be a non-drinker
- 75% are confident they could cut alcohol out of their life if they had to
- Only one in five (20%) say they wouldn’t fit in if they didn’t drink
- 1 in 10 drinkers (9%) say they feel personally concerned for their health about how much they drink.
Sue Taylor, Head of Alcohol Policy for Fresh and Balance, said: “Alcohol is a group one carcinogen which causes at least seven types of cancer including breast and bowel cancer. With only 1 in 3 people aware alcohol causes cancer, people have a right to know more about the risks and this is one of the reasons why we are running this campaign.
“We all want to do something positive in the New Year. Cutting our risk of cancers such as breast and bowel cancer is something we can do just by cutting down our alcohol consumption.
“It can be hard to break drinking habits but reducing your drinking not only reduces your risks but also brings so many life-changing positives for you and your family. Reducing alcohol consumption is also a great way to kick off benefits that can last all year around – it can help you lose weight, bring you better mood and more energy.”
But she added: “Alcohol is too cheap, too available and too heavily promoted. Alcohol’s toll on the country’s health is worsening, with liver disease and cancers rising. We are calling for more action nationally in 2024 to reduce the burden on our local communities, on the NHS and local authorities and on families.
Alice Wiseman, Gateshead’s Director of Public Health and Vice President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, said: “It’s so easy to overindulge during December, not just because it’s often a time for enjoying social gatherings with family or friends, but also because the festive season can be a lonely or stressful time for many people.
“Although lots of people think of having a few drinks as a way to relax or switch off, alcohol is a depressant and cutting down will lead to longer-term improvement in your mood and energy levels. Breaking habits can be hard, but January is the ideal opportunity to reset your relationship with alcohol and get the New Year off to a healthier, happier start by increasing your number of drink free days, cutting down or taking the month off drinking completely.”
Jane Curtis from the alcohol support service Humankind, said: “I have five key tips for staying in control of drinking this Christmas:
- You should make a plan and stick to it. Set yourself a limit on how much alcohol you plan to drink.
- Drink lower ABV% alcohol or singles instead of doubles.
- Drink soft drinks or water between alcoholic drinks.
- Take your time, and don’t get into rounds.
- Start drinking later, and don’t drink at home before going out.”
Alcohol is linked to more than 200 medical conditions including 7 types of cancer, liver disease, heart disease and stroke. It can worsen weight problems and worsen anxiety and depression.
Visit ReduceMyRisk.tv to find out about ways to cut down, download the Drink Free Days app and to find local support.
Benefits of cutting down
Just like tobacco, alcohol is toxic. Just one or two drinks a day can increase the risk of cancer including bowel, breast, mouth and throat cancer.
The best way to reduce your risk is to cut down how much and how often you drink drinking:
- Drink no more than 14 units a week to stay “low risk” (about six glasses of wine, six double spirits or six pints of lager a week) spread out over several days.
- Take at least three drink free days a week to give your body a break.
Taking time off alcohol is a great way to start the New Year, will reduce your risks of serious illness and make you feel healthier and better.
There are lots of ways to cut down – try a month without alcohol in January, taking several drink free days a week and watching your alcohol units.
Cutting down drinking brings so many benefits:
- reduce your risk of ill health
- improve your mood and better sleep
- help you feel more energetic
- lose weight and lower blood pressure
- more time and more money
