Why you should ditch Dry January and start Sober Thursdays
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A wine expert has urged Brits to ditch Dry January and start Sober Thursdays.
Dan Harwood believes 30 Sober Thursdays is a more realistic and healthier alternative to kick-start 2024 than a month off the booze.
The wine educator, who has more than 15 years experience in the trade, says cutting back little and often is the key.
This approach still provides the health and financial benefits of Dry January but reduces the risk of withdrawal and is more likely to lead to a long-lasting habit.
It comes as an estimated nine million drinkers attempt four weeks off the booze and a study by alcohol-free specialists Eisberg reveals a fifth of millennials are set to take part in Dry January.
Dan Harwood has worked for a leading independent distiller for five years across their wines and spirits brands before joining Schoss Wachenheim to take charge of the UK’s top selling alcohol free wine, Eisberg.
Some 30% of 18 to 26-year-olds polled revealed they are drinking less than this time last year and 14% had never been on a night out boozing, the survey of 2,000 people found.
Almost half of Gen Zers (45%) are ‘sober curious’ and trying to cut down or cut out alcohol – compared to just 24% of the Baby Boom generation (age 59-77).
The younger age group appears to be turning to non-alcoholic options as more than 40% said they had become more appealing in the last 12 months, and 53% had tried them.
Mr Harwood, Eisberg’s Key Account Manager for UK and Ireland, said: “Dry January is great for setting yourself a personal challenge, but the reality is that most people will return to their normal drinking habits come February 1 – with the risk of people actually bingeing more due to 31 days cold turkey.
“Dry Jan can also be too difficult and actually deter people from trying to reduce alcohol intake in the future.
“The idea behind 30 Sober Thursdays is that it creates a more realistic, long-term solution that people might actually stick to.
“By cutting back little and often, you still get all the health and financial benefits of Dry January, but it reduces the risk of withdrawal and is more likely to lead to a long-lasting habit.
“With alcohol-free alternatives like Eisberg, you can still enjoy a glass of wine after work, meaning you don’t need to pass on any social invites.”
