Media Information February 2020

Dry January - how was it for you?

Did you achieve Dry January? If you tried and had to go back to drinking because the urge was too much, or did you feel that your health may suffer, then perhaps you need to address a few issues about your alcohol intake. Many people's mind and body have become so accustomed to drinking that it is not healthy for them to stop suddenly - if this is the case, a GP can help you withdraw safely from the effects of stopping drinking. Have you become really irritable because you have stopped drinking for a couple of weeks? Did you plan that first drink at midnight on 31^st January? For most people Dry January is an excellent away to detox your body and allow you to enjoy the pleasures of having a drink when getting together with friends, celebrating a birthday, anniversary or perhaps a pay rise! For some it's not so easy, they may get through 31 days of torture during January and then jump straight back into being dictated by alcohol. Is this you?

First of all, don't worry, life doesn't stop if you put the booze down, as a matter of fact for most people life starts when they make the decision to stop for longer than a month, week or even a day. There are millions of people that now enjoy the day-to-day thrills of life that most people take for granted but are denied to you when you become a prisoner of drink. Things like going for a walk, enjoying a film at the cinema or just staying awake in the armchair in the evenings... have you ever experienced the situation in the morning when you can't remember going to bed the night before?

When you have a drink issue these things can be taken away from you without you realising.  The way we act and think can be changed by our drinking patterns - drinking alone, taking time off work, having trouble paying the regular bills... or thinking about drinking in the morning!

Here's a typical story from a member of AA.

I found that I repeatedly drank more than I intended and wanted to, I used to get in trouble with friends and family because of my drinking, eventually I had to admit to being an alcoholic. I turned to AA who are a fellowship of men and women who, like me, have lost the ability to control their drinking and have found themselves in various sorts of trouble as a result of drink. Together we attempt - most of us successfully - to create a satisfactory way of life without alcohol.

If you feel the same, you may need to talk to someone who has gone through the same feelings.

Call the AA national helpline, free to phone  0800 917 7650

Or chat online www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Change your life like millions of others before you have.

Ends

Note to desk

- we can supply local recovery stories and contacts , contact media.pi.sc@aamail.org

- local AA meetings lists are online

Notes to Editors: AA non-alcoholic trustees are available for interviews by prior arrangement. Case studies of AA recovering alcoholics who have written 300-600 words of their stories of drinking and sobriety under pseudonyms are also available.

Local AA office staff can pass on media requests for follow-up interviews in all UK regions. Contact:

York 01904 644026
London 020 7407 0700
Glasgow 0141 226 2214

AA National helpline 0800 9177 650
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Important
The lives of alcoholics and their families depend on the ability to maintain personal anonymity. Members should remain anonymous in the media. Press are invited to attend an open meeting of AA only if accompanied at all times by a representative from Alcoholics Anonymous, arranged in advance with prior consent from meeting attendees. No recording equipment may be used.

We never disclose or pass on email addresses to any third party.

A full range of pre-recorded Public Service Announcements for Radio and Television broadcasts may be obtained by contacting GSO.

Alcoholics Anonymous
PO Box 1
10 Toft Green
York YO1 7NJ.