People in Harrogate planning an alcohol-free January are being urged to start preparing now, as more Britons than ever rethink their drinking.
Charity Alcohol Change UK found that 17.5 million UK adults, almost one in three, planned a month off alcohol for January 2026. A separate YouGov study published in June found that a third of British drinkers were drinking less than a year earlier, with about half of them saying they simply had less desire to drink.
While many people treat January as a short break, those hoping to stop for good are advised to plan well before the new year, starting with the festive season.
Christmas parties, work drinks and family gatherings are often where plans wobble. Common advice includes choosing an alcohol-free drink in advance, booking a lift or taxi home, deciding when to leave before arriving and having a short reply ready for anyone who asks why they are not drinking.
Local events can help too. The free Ripley Castle Christmas market on 29 November, with around 40 Yorkshire makers, hot food and coffee, is one of several festive outings that don't centre on a bar.
For many, the hardest part of the day is the first hour after work, when a drink has become the signal that the day is over. Replacing that routine, whether with a walk on the Stray, a favourite alcohol-free drink or an early night, is widely recommended over simply removing the glass. Your Harrogate's guide to unwinding after work has more ideas.
Support also makes a measurable difference. University of Sussex research for Alcohol Change UK found that people using its Try Dry app and daily emails double their chances of a completely alcohol-free month.
Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: "With the Try Dry app, we're twice as likely to enjoy a fully alcohol-free month and go on to drink less long after January ends."
Other options include The Sober School's six-week Getting Unstuck course, an online programme for women who want to stop drinking without meetings or labels. It combines daily lessons with group coaching calls and daily access to founder Kate Bee, and readers can sign up now to hear when registration opens for its next class in January 2027.
Free local help is also available. North Yorkshire Horizons offers confidential support for adults in the county who want to stop drinking, with Harrogate one of its five hubs, and people can refer themselves by phone, email or online. Friends, family and regular GP check-ups also play a part, as Your Harrogate's guide to everyday health habits points out.
Anyone who drinks heavily every day is advised to speak to their GP or North Yorkshire Horizons before stopping, as NHS guidance warns that stopping suddenly can be harmful for people who are physically dependent on alcohol.
Those who slip up are encouraged not to give up. A difficult evening, or even a drink, does not undo the progress already made, and getting back to the plan the next day is what counts.
