Alcohol Concern calls for total abstinence – but only for a month

More than four and a half million working days in the UK could be lost to hangovers this January, Alcohol Concern claimed as it launched its campaign to get people to give up alcohol for 31 days - Dry January.

Alcohol Concern said it is estimated that around two hundred thousand people go to work with a hangover every day in the UK, costing the economy around £6.4 billion each year. And, it says, it’s not just at work that the cost of alcohol misuse is racking up: overall alcohol related harm is now estimated to cost society £21 billion every year.

Emily Robinson, Director of Campaigns, Alcohol Concern, said: “Many of us think the way we drink isn’t a problem, but even having just a few beers after work or a few glasses of wine at home too often can take you over safe limits and store up problems for the future. We’re challenging people to take part in Dry January and try giving up booze for 31 days and if it sounds like a big ask you’re exactly the person we want to join us and have a go. We’re not being killjoys or telling people to never drink again, we just think this provides the perfect opportunity for all of us to take a breather and get thinking about our drinking.”

The Dry January campaign was launched weeks after Alcohol Concern published its Alcohol Harm Map, which found the biggest drain on NHS resources were baby boomers, not young binge drinkers as many assume. People who regularly drink over recommended limits are more likely to find themselves with health problems because of it, including liver disease, heart disease and high blood pressure; alcohol is also the second biggest risk factor for cancer after smoking.

Alcohol Concern challenged people to sign up to Dry January 2013 and aim to stay booze free for the entire month. It was hoped those taking part would use it as an opportunity “to ditch the hangover, reduce their waistline, save some pennies and take time to think about whether their drinking is really working for them.”

More information about the campaign can be found at http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/campaign/dry-january