More people than ever QUIT the booze in South West

Public Health England have just released data revealing that across the South West, 12.8% of all adults aged 18+ now abstain from drinking alcohol completely. 

This sober-trend is up from 11% back in 2014 proving how a life without alcohol is becoming ever more popular. 

Only recently, celebrities like the Thomas brothers - Scott and Adam Thomas - have spoken out about their unhealthy relationship with alcohol and their public decision to live a life completely alcohol-free, boasting improved fitness and mental health. 

Today also marks singer Lily Allen’s two year sobriety anniversary which she marked on Instagram with a post claiming her decision was the “BEST thing I ever did, and I’ve done a lot of cool s**t”. 

The figures are from the latest Health Survey for England and show the proportion of the adult population across the country and per local authority who are at no risk of alcohol-related harm - something that costs the NHS around £3.5 billion per year and society as a whole £21 billion annually. 

Leading alcohol addiction treatment providers UKAT have analysed the data and have revealed the areas of the South West that are the best and worst sober societies;

UKAT’s analysis shows that in places like Torbay, living a sober life is becoming incredibly more favourable, as the percentage of adults who abstain from drinking alcohol has risen from 6.1% in 2014 to 20.6% in 2018. 

South Gloucestershire's sober community has risen from 11.6% of adults abstaining from alcohol to 21.3% and Somerset’s from 6.1% to 16.9% in 2014 and then in latest 2018 data respectively. 

On the other end of the spectrum, UKAT reveals that places like Bristol aren’t opting for a sober lifestyle as the percentage of adults abstaining from drinking alcohol has lowered over the years, from 15.6% back in 2014 to now just 10.9%. 

The percentage of adults choosing not to drink alcohol has lowered in North Somerset and Cornwall too - from 11.1% in 2014 to just 7.9% and 13.3% to just 11.9% respectively. 

Eytan Alexander, CEO for alcohol treatment providers UKAT comments; “What we’re seeing is an overall appetite for living a life free from alcohol across the South West - out of the 14 local authority communities, 8 are improving their abstinence from alcohol and that can only be applauded. 

"Although a completely legal and almost encouraged substance, alcohol is extremely dangerous, addictive and ruins lives. We see the damage it causes first hand every single day.

“We expect that this shift in attitude originates from today’s younger generation who are passionate about their appearance, their physical and also- and most importantly- their mental health. 

“There’s a definite undercurrent of recognition and understanding that misusing drugs and alcohol leads to unhealthy lifestyles and hopefully as more celebrities and influencers encourage prioritising positive physical and mental health, we will see more and more adults abstaining from drinking alcohol in the future. The adults who make this decision should live healthier and longer lives because of it.”

UKAT operates eight addiction treatment facilities across the country and treats over 2,000 people each year, the majority of which (over 70%) are for alcohol addiction. 

For 24/7 confidential help and advice with alcohol, visit www.ukat.co.uk/alcohol/v98/