Research conducted by charity Drinkaware revealed 73% of UK drinkers had planned to moderate their drinking this Christmas. A further 43% said they would reduce their alcohol intake in the new year.
Meanwhile, one in four (28%) of those surveyed intended to drink more over Christmas but cut back in the new year.
Setting limits
Taking drink-free days emerged as the most popular way to cut back (21%), followed by setting a drink limit (19%), and alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water (18%), which is known as zebra striping.
The most popular approach to moderation was to take a complete break for a period of time (27%), followed by drink-free days or keeping alcohol out of the house (24%).
One in four (24%) drinkers stated they weren’t planning to moderate their drinking during the festive period.
Drinkaware CEO Karen Tyrell said the survey results were encouraging: “With nearly three in four of us planning ahead this Christmas, this balanced approach to festive fun is great to see.
Growing range
“With a few simple tips we can enjoy our favourite Christmas tipples with our friends and family without taking it to excess. A good first step is understanding your own drinking habits, something you can do by taking the Drinking Check on our website.
“Sticking to the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines of no more than 14 units a week including some drink-free days can make a big difference.
“Asking friends and family for support can help you stick to any plan you set, while the growing range of low and no alcohol options also makes it easier to swap out some drinks on a night out.”
