HAMPSHIRE County Council is encouraging residents to sign up to Dry January 2016 and join with those who are taking a month off alcohol after the New Year.

Councillor Patricia Stallard, member for health, said: “A month off alcohol is really good for your health. It boosts your energy levels and improves your sleep, but it also gives you a sense of achievement and can save you money too.”

“Alcohol misuse is widespread and its impact far-reaching. Many people do not realise how much they are drinking, especially when they are drinking at home.

“Dry January is not about never drinking again, it just gives you the opportunity to give your body a break from alcohol, so I would encourage residents to get involved in 2016 and start enjoying the benefits.”

More than 1,100 Hampshire residents had a dry January in 2015, joining over two million adults who participated across the UK.

Two-thirds were successful at going the whole month dry and 85 per cent of people reported a great sense of achievement after completing a month off alcohol.

Last year’s campaign also showed that six months later two-thirds of people who took part are still drinking less.

Dry January is a campaign by Alcohol Concern, supported by Public Health England in 2016 to encourage people to take a break from drinking for a month.

Public Health England says alcohol is the leading cause of preventable ill health and death in 15 to 49-year-olds and is a factor in more than 60 medical conditions, including liver disease, a number of cancers and depression.

It is estimated that nearly one in four people in Hampshire drink more than the safe recommended levels of alcohol each week and could be putting their health at risk.

The daily recommended drinking limits are: men should not drink over three/four units of alcohol per day; women should not drink over two/three units per day. Advice is also to try to take a break for two days per week.

Search on the web for ‘Hampshire Drink-less’ for details of specialist help available if you are worried about your drinking.