by One in seven British drinkers burn out in January, new research suggests.
A YouGov poll released on Friday found that 15% of drinking Britons will give up alcohol for the first month of 2023.
It compares with the three-quarters (75%) of drinkers who will continue, according to the survey.
Overall, nearly a third (32%) of Britons don’t drink at all, the survey suggests.
There is little difference in terms of gender, with 14% of male drinkers and 15% of female drinkers reporting that they want to give up alcohol.
The charity Alcohol Change UK say there are numerous benefits to taking part in ‘Dry January’.
He points to 2018 research from the Royal Free Hospital which found that a month without alcohol lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of diabetes, lowers cholesterol and reduces levels of cancer-related proteins in the blood.
Aside from that, the charity says abstinence improves sleep quality and makes the mind calmer, as well as helping to save money.
Read more: This is how families reduced their Christmas expenses this year
The charity also points to research from the University of Sussex which found that 70% of people who took the month off were able to drink healthier the rest of the year.
According to the charity Alcohol Change, more than 130,000 people took part in Dry January in 2022.
Data from YouGov’s Dry January, with 15% of alcoholic drinkers abstaining next month, compares with the company’s ‘Veganuary’ survey which found just 3% of meat and dairy consumers are planning plant-based diets in January.
The statistics come after Brits were back in pubs and restaurants throughout December, with the hospitality sector reporting solid numbers.
The latest data from OpenTable points to a positive holiday season so far, despite strikes and pressure on consumer budgets.
It said bookings for the two weeks to Dec. 27 were up 35% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
This has been especially strong over the past week, with bookings up 57% on average from three years ago.
Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Pubs, restaurants and nightclubs are always perfect places to celebrate the New Year and bring friends and loved ones together and this year is no different.
“Despite recent business disruptions and challenges such as train strikes and rising cost of living, many venues across the country have devoted a great deal of time, effort and resources to planning New Year’s Eve festivities to accommodate bookings from guests during one of the busiest times of the year.
“The hospitality industry remains positive and we encourage people to go out and party at their local hospitality business.”
