ALMOST one in three of the region’s drinkers are considering a break from alcohol this January according to our figures.

Balance’s data also reveals that almost 140,000 drinkers have previously taken, or attempted to take, a month or longer off from drinking, with nine in 10 of those drinkers ‘successful’ in achieving their goal.

The new figures come as Balance challenges people to start the New Year by ditching the booze for 31 days and sign up to Alcohol Concern’s Dry January.

Colin Shevills, director of Balance, said: “As a region we have made steady progress in tackling alcohol-related harm, but still much remains to be done.

“We continue to have the highest rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions in England and, for many people, Dry January is often the first step towards making positive long-term changes. Cutting out alcohol for even just one month can have positive effects on our health.”

Now in its fifth year, Dry January asks people to put the excesses of the festive period behind them and start the year with a fresh, healthy approach.

For the last three years, the North-East has led the way in terms of the rate of Dry January sign ups, with the highest proportion of people taking up the challenge, compared to any other region in the country. Balance is now calling on people across the region to accept the Dry January challenge, and help put the region at the top of the table again for 2017.