It was once seen as a staple of British culture but increasingly we seem to be turning away from alcohol. A recent YouGov study found almost half of 18 to 24-year-olds opt for low or no alcohol options on a night out. Conducted on behalf of the Portman Group , it found that 39% of Gen Z said they consume no alcohol at all.
And a separate study found 26% of millennials had cut down on their alcohol consumption in the past six months as the sober boom continues while around 25% of 25 to 39-year-olds admit to having a drink three or four days a week. READ MORE: 'I lost half a stone in a week on Mediterranean diet – 20-minute meal won me over' READ MORE: I tried Mediterranean diet for a week and lost half a stone – one food stood out And, while it does fluctuate, it's somewhere I'd like to think I sit too. As a 32-year-old journalist, I'd like to enjoy a drink to wind down at the weekend, or when socialising.
However, like a growing number of people, I wondered what life would be like without a pint or four to wind down, or without that beer at the local bar. According to the NHS, not drinking for even a short amount of time can come with health benefits and might save a few quid in the process. And so I decided to embark on a sober month.
The first few days were easy – possibly because I kicked off my challenge in the middle of a week, maybe cheating a little bit – but we soon reached the first notable occasion, the weekend. I had a social event, a trip out to a restaura.