Can Stop, Will Stop

COULD YOU GIVE UP ALCOHOL FOR A MONTH FOR A GOOD CAUSE – OR FOR YOURSELF? SARA BUNNY TALKS TO THREE PEOPLE FOR WHOM DRY JULY WAS A WIN-WIN

Whether it’s part of a challenge, a dare, a lifestyle change or a health shake-up, there are plenty of reasons why people are ditching wine in favour of sparkling water, or swapping beer for kombucha.

Recent data from health charity Drinkwise says Australians are consuming less alcohol overall, and that rates of underage drinking are decreasing. As the way many of us view alcohol continues to evolve, shunning booze altogether is also becoming increasingly mainstream, with Drinkwise research from last year finding 20 per cent of Australians now abstain from alcoholic drinks, up from 11 per cent in 2007.

At this time of year, even more are starting to ponder the sober life. Dry July encourages people to give up booze for the month while raising much-needed funds for cancer charities across the country. Fans of the cause say going sans alcohol means a clearer head and more energy, and health experts agree; research links reduced alcohol consumption to better weight control, improved sleep and mood, and a lowered risk of developing heart disease.

But with alcohol still a big part of our society, the decision to ditch booze is often more complex than simply wanting to save cash or shift excess weight. For many, it marks the beginning of a new way of thinking, the end of one phase and the start of another, or a different way of looking at the role alcohol plays in their life. Here, we chat with three people about their personal reasons for doing Dry July, the lessons they learned along the way, and their tips for staying on the wagon.

A DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE IT