Many people have sworn this month they wouldn’t drink alcohol as part of an annual challenge.

Dry January offers people a chance to reflect on their relationship with alcohol during a month of abstinence.

And Miche Rose, from Swindon drug and alcohol recovery service for adults Turning Point – IMPACT, explains that the alcohol-free movement can help participants improve both their physical and mental health.

Miche, who’s been working in substance misuse since 2008 in Wiltshire, told the Adver: “Dry January is a good starting point for somebody to assess their relationship with alcohol.

“People generally improve their quality of life, they’ll improve their sleep patterns, feel better in the morning and they won’t have the hangover.

“I worked with many people, who suffer with anxiety and really struggled to believe that once you stopped drinking alcohol for long enough, your anxiety improves.”

Millions across the country pledge every year to complete the challenge. Miche said there are various reasons behind people signing up for Dry January.

She added: “Over Christmas, lots of people would perhaps eat more than usual, or drink more than usual. They might feel that they want to get fitter again, or they want to save a bit of money.

“Also, alcohol is a depressant, and typically January is one of the hardest months for people, especially now with lockdown, and it’s generally cold, the days are quite short. It can be quite dark, and people can get a bit deflated.”

IMPACT operates from three central hubs in Swindon, Salisbury and Trowbridge. Miche said people tend to drink less once they completed the challenge.

“Many people may see many benefits throughout January and decides to continue even longer. Some people just do it for months, other for years,” she added.

“It’s one of those things you can start even if you missed the start of January. For some people it wouldn’t have to be January, there’s nothing to stop people from doing it in March or whatever suits them in their lives.”

Dry January was launched in 2013 by Alcohol Change UK. Miche wants people to take into account the risks alcohol can have on their health.