'I quit alcohol and feel mentally unstoppable'

Juggy Sidhu said alcohol had been a distraction from problems, but now he faced his challenges

Almost a year ago, Juggy Sidhu gave up alcohol. He had always had a turbulent relationship with it and became addicted at university after losing his grandfather.

The 37-year-old personal trainer from Rugby said 12 months into sobriety, he enjoys improved health, better sleep and less anxiety. He supports himself with other techniques such as journaling and breathwork to help him relax.

"This might sound cheesy but I now feel mentally unstoppable," he said.

"Alcohol was just distracting me from the problems I was trying to run away from.

"Whereas now I'm aware of the challenges I'm facing and coming up with more positive solutions to them."

He said many of his problems with alcohol stemmed from societal pressure and how "normalised" drinking was in the Asian community.

"When you're sad, you're encouraged to drink, when you're happy you're encouraged to drink, and every occasion you go to is centred around food and drink," said Mr Sidhu.

"I just ask myself 'what's my future self going to thank me for?' And very rarely is that going to be having a drink of alcohol."

Prof Richard Cooke said more people were choosing to drink less

Richard Cooke, professor of health psychology at the University of Staffordshire, said it was becoming more common for people to re-evaluate their relationship with alcohol and choose to drink less.

He said researchers had found younger groups were the most "sober curious", but also that middle-aged men were interested in no-alchohol and low-alcohol products.

"There are a range of reasons," he said. "People are more aware of health issues than they were in the past - for example, more evidence accumulating around the risks of cancer associated with alcohol consumption."

He also said some people just wanted to drink less to feel better, adding: "They don't have a hangover and better sleep."

Joseph Stark has won an award for his non-alcoholic drinks menu

According to the ISWR, a body that analyses data from the alcoholic drinks industry, the total UK no and low-alcohol market is expected to have more than doubled in 2024 compared with the previous year.

It is a trend that is being picked up by restaurants and bars across the country.

Joseph Stark, a sommelier at the Wild Shropshire restaurant in Whitchurch, recently won the 2025 Innovation Award for his non-alcoholic Creations drinks flight, a selection of drinks served together as a tasting experience.

He said particularly on weekday nights and lunchtimes, "50% to 60% of the room chooses a non-alcoholic flight" and even those who are not driving are opting to try it over alcoholic beverages.

"Passengers are also choosing the non-alcoholic options too because of how tasty and interesting it is," he added.