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Alcohol Change UK goes to Parliament
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On 15 January, Alcohol Change UK headed to Westminster for our Parliamentary reception, hosted by Baroness Verma. The day saw policymakers, stakeholders, ambassadors and partners come together to celebrate the purpose and impact of the Dry January® challenge, including speeches from Baroness Verma and Ambassador Millie Gooch, founder of Sober Girl Society.

While guests enjoyed a wide range of no- and low-alcohol products, we explored how public-facing behaviour change campaigns like the Dry January® challenge are just one piece of the health-harms prevention puzzle and what pragmatic policy recommendations need to be put in place to address the rising harms from alcohol in the UK.


** Latest news and updates
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** Dry January® challenge participants bossed their drinking in 2025
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Embracing the true spirit of the experience, Dry January® challenge participants throughout the UK and beyond bossed the booze while taking on their 31-day challenge, gaining invaluable learning - even (or especially) if they had a slip up along the way.

We were delighted that just under 200,000 people took part globally, from over 180 countries, using our free programme tools: our Try Dry® app, daily motivational emails, and online communities.
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** Action needed to stop trend of increasing alcohol-specific deaths
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In 2023, 10,473 people in the UK died as a direct result of alcohol.

Figures published on 5 February 2025 by the Office for National Statistics represent another all-time-high for alcohol-specific deaths in the UK, following half a decade of year-on-year rises. In this blog, we review the data and highlight the need for prevention policies which will tackle the broader picture of alcohol-related harm.
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** Discover our new Try Dry® Anytime 31-day challenge
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Designed to give you a little extra motivation and helpful resources if you’re looking to take a break from alcohol, Try Dry® Anytime 31 days is your chance to break habits and reset your relationship with alcohol for the longer-term.

Signing up is free and, just like it says on the tin, your 31-day break can be started at any time. So, if things didn't quite go to plan this Dry January® challenge, or you'd welcome an extended break at a different time, you can sign up using the button below.
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** Examining the findings of Minimum Unit Pricing in Wales
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Almost five years after it was introduced, January saw the Welsh Government publish its evaluation of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in Wales. In this latest blog, Alcohol Change UK Director for Wales, Andrew Misell, examines the findings of this alcohol-harm reduction measure and what the future should hold for the policy.
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** What are the cultures and attitudes towards alcohol within Westminster?
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Almost three in ten (28%) MPs think it is acceptable to drink before voting or speaking in the House.

Our latest research explores the attitudes to alcohol among MPs and the impact on working cultures across the Parliamentary estate. It tells us that when it comes to alcohol, the political is personal, and the personal is political.
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** Get involved
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** Share your views on alcohol harm
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A new survey has launched for the Addiction Healthcare Goals programme ([link removed]) , led by the UK Government Office for Life Sciences, in collaboration with the James Lind Alliance. Their aim is to identify future research questions on harm reduction, treatment, and addiction recovery.

They want to hear from:
* Anyone aged 16 or older who has experience of addiction to drugs and/or alcohol
* Family, friends or carers (aged 16 or over) of anyone who has experience of addiction to drugs and/or alcohol
* Health and social care professionals who work with people experiencing addiction to drugs and/or alcohol

The survey closes at midnight on Sunday, 23 February 2025.
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** Volunteer at the Brighton Half Marathon
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Can you help support us at the Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday, 2 March 2025?

We’re proud to be a key charity at the event, and we’re looking for super supporters to come and help on event day. This will involve giving out medals to runners who have completed the course. For more information, visit the race website and if you officially register make sure you select ‘Alcohol Change UK’ on the charity list so the organisers know you’re with us!

There are also opportunities to run the event and cheer on the team. To learn more, please email us at [email protected].
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** Reducing the Risk - Online learning event
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Alcohol is often a factor in suicide, but what does that mean? While alcohol doesn’t cause suicide, its roles in many situations that lead to suicide cannot be ignored. Alcohol Change UK warmly invites you to join our next online learning conference, on the topic of understanding and addressing suicide amongst people experiencing alcohol problems.

The event takes place online – 13 March 2025, 10:00-12:50.
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** Latest blogs
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** Alcohol and neurodiversity: Q&A with Neurodiversity UK
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Discussing key questions,

such as ‘is drinking riskier for neurodivergent individuals?’, and many more – Alcohol Change UK speaks to Neurodiversity UK for a deep dive into this important topic.


** Beckie’s story: “I cannot begin to describe the difference to my life”
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After an unsuccessful dry month in 2023, Beckie took on the Dry January® challenge in 2024 and has had great success ever since. Read her story to find out more.
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Copyright © Alcohol Change UK 2025

Our mailing address is:
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