Somerset Council has unveiled a new self-assessment tool to help residents reduce the amount of alcohol they consume for ‘Dry January’.
The ‘think about your drink’ tool has been created to help people identify if the amount they are drinking could be putting their health at risk.
The launch comes as the council promotes ‘Dry January’, a national campaign to improve drinking habits across Britain.
The council Public Health team says the benefits of going dry for a month include “better sleep, increased energy levels, improved mental health and concentration, a better bank balance, and an amazing sense of achievement.”
Somerset Council has unveiled the online self-assessment tool called ‘What’s your score?’ at https://service.somerset.gov.uk/dryjanuary to help individuals evaluate their alcohol intake and identify if they are drinking too much.
The team are also encouraging residents to sign up to Dry January and discover the many benefits of going alcohol-free.
Cllr Adam Dance, Executive Lead Member for Public Health, Equalities and Diversity, says: “Dry January offers us an opportunity to rejuvenate our bodies and prioritize our well-being post the festive celebrations.”
“It’s easy for casual drinking to escalate into a daily routine, and taking a break can significantly impact our health and wellbeing.”
“I would encourage everyone to give Dry January a go, perhaps with family or friends for support, so they can experience these benefits first hand and consider reducing the amount of alcohol they drink in the future.”
“If you drink heavily regularly, Dry January may not be for you, check with your GP or our local alcohol service, Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service (SDAS), delivered by the charity Turning Point, who provide free and confidential support for people wanting to make changes to their relationship with alcohol. Call 0300 303 8788 or see: www.turning-point.co.uk/sdas.”
