WIMMERA’S Drug Action Taskforce has encouraged residents to use this Dry July to rethink their attitude to alcohol.
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The fundraiser challenges people to go alcohol-free for a month to raise money for people with cancer.
Dry July, like it’s counterparts Ocsober and Febfast, also encourages Australian to examine the country’s culture of drinking.
“Having months of the year which make us think about our alcohol consumption is not a bad thing and it gives the body a break,” Wimmera Drug Action Taskforce’s Sally Pymer said.
“Those who have participated in such events have noticed the difference giving up alcohol for a month has had on their health, with many feeling much better.”
Ms Pymer said Australian attitudes to alcohol need to be in focus all months of the year.
“There is still a long way to go in changing peoples attitudes towards alcohol,” she said.
“This could change by finding alternatives to alcohol for celebrating, commiserating, relaxing and raising money.
“Most people have no idea what damage drinking alcohol does to their hearts, liver and other organs, along with being a cause of breast and other cancers.”
Dry July research found close to one in five young Australians, between 18 and 24 years old, lie about their alcohol consumption.
“While there is a culture of ‘everyone drinking’, there seems to be no problem with people drinking,” Ms Pymer said
“If people are lying about the amount they are drinking then maybe they do see it as a bit of a problem.”
Research also showed three in five Australians attempt to offset their drinking with other healthy behaviours.
Ms Pymer said this can’t stop the internal harm caused by heavy drinking.
“Alcohol has detrimental effects on the body whether you eat well and exercise or don’t,” she said.
“Alcohol does contain empty calories so exercising and eating well may reduce the chances of weight gain but the detrimental health effects outweigh the positives.”