Could Dry January be the boost we need?

Lots of us have been drinking more during the pandemic, but too much is bad news... By Lisa Salmon

It’s been an incredibly tough year – and it’s not surprising more people than usual have been drowning their sorrows, or spicing up endless evenings at home by reaching for a wine bottle.

The alcohol education charity Drinkaware (drinkaware.co.uk) found more than a fifth (22%) of adults drank more during the first lockdown, and research by the Royal College of Psychiatrists found the number of people drinking at high-risk levels had almost doubled after this period.

Tempted to try Dry January? “January is a good time to reflect on your relationship with alcohol

– by starting the new year drinking less, or not at all, you might notice your sleep improving, that you lose some extra weight, and find you have a bit more money in your pocket,” says Mark Bellis, professor of public health at Bangor University and alcohol advisor to the UK Faculty of Public Health.

According to Drinkaware research, just over a quarter of drinkers (26%) think they should cut down on their boozing. “Many people have found themselves drinking more since the start of the pandemic, often out of boredom or to cope with what’s going on,” says Drinkaware chief executive Elaine Hindal.

For extra motivation, here, Drinkaware outlines 10 key ways drinking can negatively impact your health…

1. MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

Alcohol is a depressant, and as well as contributing to depression it can interfere with processes in the brain that are important for good mental health. “Alcohol is best avoided when you’re anxious because it can make feelings of anxiety and stress worse,” says Hindal.

2. INCREASED RISK OF CANCER

Alcohol is also a risk factor for developing cancer. Drinking above the low risk guidelines increases your risk of seven types of cancer, including breast, liver and mouth cancer, and Cancer Research UK (cancerresearchuk.org) points out: “Cancer risk starts to increase at small amounts, so the more you can cut down, the more you can reduce your risk.”

3. RAISED BLOOD PRESSURE

Alcohol is also an entirely preventable cause of severe high blood pressure, says Hindal. Untreated high blood pressure greatly increases the risk of having a stroke and heart attack.

4. LIVER DAMAGE

Drinking alcohol can cause irreparable damage to the liver and increase the risk of developing liver disease, says Hindal.

5. BRAIN DAMAGE AND DEMENTIA

Regularly drinking more than the low risk guidelines is linked to brain damage and even dementia, warns Drinkaware.

6. FERTILITY PROBLEMS

Drinking more than the low risk guidelines may also increase the risk of experiencing fertility problems, says Hindal.

7. REDUCED IMMUNE FUNCTION

Heavy drinking may increase vulnerability to viral infections and other illnesses, because alcohol can disrupt immune function.

8. SLEEP PROBLEMS

It might ‘seem’ to help some people nod off, but alcohol can actually disrupt sleep.

9. WEIGHT GAIN AND BLOATING

Hindal points out that alcohol contains more calories than many people think . In addition, drinking alcohol dehydrates our bodies, including the skin, and can make faces look bloated and puffy. The dehydrating effects of alcohol can also cause stomach bloating.

10. SEXUAL PROBLEMS

Alcohol can reduce testosterone levels and it also depresses the central nervous system, which means it can make it difficult for some men to get, and maintain, an erection.