Liverpool Community Health (LCH) NHS Trust is encouraging patients, residents and local workforces to think a bit more about what they are drinking for a healthier start to the New Year.

Over the coming weeks, the Trust will be supporting members of the local community and as many staff as possible to consider pledging to cut back how much they are drinking for the 31 days of January.

As part of Drier January, health advisors from across the Trust will be delivering health roadshows offering free information and advice on alcohol in a range of community locations, and encouraging people to start considering cutting back on how much and how often they are drinking.

The roadshows are taking place at the following venues between 9.00am -11.30am on each of the following dates:

• Wednesday 7th January – Townsend, Health Centre
• Thursday 8th January – South Liverpool Treatment Centre
• Tuesday 13th January – Kensington, Health Centre
• Wednesday 14th January – Mere Lane, Health Centre
• Thursday 15th January – Childwall, Health Centre

Members of the public are welcome to drop in, chat to an expert, pick up free information and sign up and take part in Drier January at the roadshows.

Local residents are also being encouraged to consider how much and how often they are drinking via the Fewer Units website – www.fewerunits.co.uk which includes an alcohol test, tips for reducing drinking, and a downloadable app for smartphones which enables users to measure the alcohol and calorie content of drinks.

The team are also offering local workplaces FREE 1½ hour alcohol awareness training sessions, to provide information and practical skills around raising the issue of alcohol and the Drier January campaign in the workplace. For more information or to book a place on one of these sessions, please email: phtraining@liverpoolch.nhs.uk.

The government advises that people should not regularly drink more alcohol than the daily guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol for men (a pint and a half of average strength beer), and 2-3 units of alcohol for women (a medium glass of wine), as well as having 2 consecutive days per week alcohol free.

However, in Great Britain, just under a third of men (31%) and one in five women (20%) are damaging their health by regularly drinking more than this recommended safe amount.

It is also estimated that more than 40,000 adults in Liverpool drink more than they should do – with around 11,000 drinking at a high risk of harm to their health.

Andy Ireland, an Alcohol Specialist for Liverpool Community Health explains:

“Whilst there is nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional drink, during Drier January we want to encourage everyone to think a bit more about how much, and how often, they are drinking.

“Even if you don’t give up drinking completely during January, just making a few cut backs can make a big difference to your health. It can also help you feel more positive, save you money, and help you to lose a few of those extra Christmas pounds.”

Five simple tips for cutting back in the New Year include:
• Have at least two completely alcohol-free days every week
• Don’t buy “rounds” – drink at your own pace
• Stick to drinks that are lower in strength
• Try to drink a soft drink or glass of water between each alcoholic drink
• Don’t keep a stock of alcohol at home

To sign up online and take part in Dry January now, please visit: www.dryjanuary.org.uk or visit www.fewerunits.co.uk for more information and advice on alcohol.