Up to 80% fail to keep their New Year Resolutions by Quitter's Day – stick at it, urges expert!

Jan. 9, 2026 - PRLog -- New research from Sinclair Method UK, specialists in medically supervised alcohol reduction, has revealed that half of all UK adults made at least one Resolution at the beginning of the year, but up to 80% of us fail to make it past the second Friday in January. There's no wonder that it's come to be known as 'Failure Friday' or 'Quitter's Day'. The sad truth is that only 9% of us are likely to last the year.

While some of our Resolutions will be 'nice to haves', such as learning a new skill, 45% of people make a Resolution around losing weight, getting into shape or cutting back on alcohol. The consequences of giving up on these resolves can be serious, though any decisions to improve health is an important first step.

Harvey Bhandal, MD of Sinclair Method UK Ltd, specialists in medically supervised alcohol reduction, says: 'Our research reveals a worrying but understandable lack of will when it comes to keeping our New Year's Resolutions. For those who have already given up on their goals, our message is that they should give themselves a pass and have another go.

'Our research shows that the most popular resolutions are based around living healthier, losing weight and exercising. This often includes cutting back on alcohol, which is high in Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) – considered "bad" cholesterol because it contributes to cholesterol build-up and blockage in the arteries.

Taking part in Dry January can help. Dry January is a popular challenge, encouraging people to abstain from alcohol for the entire month, to reset their relationship with drinking. Our helpful new Dry January guide (https://www.sinclairmethoduk.com/dry-january-programme.htm) has some good pointers to helping people keep up their Resolution for the whole of January.

'While Dry January may serve as an initial step towards reducing alcohol consumption, long-term strategies are essential for effective management. Individuals who experience difficulty in moderating their alcohol intake may benefit from evidence-based approaches such as the Sinclair Method (TSM), which utilises prescribed medication in conjunction with structured online coaching and counselling.

'The treatment involves patients taking naltrexone orally one hour prior to alcohol consumption, diminishing the rewarding effects of alcohol and facilitating "pharmacological extinction" by retraining the brain's reward pathways.

'The personalised treatment programme features one-to-one support from a private general practitioner and dedicated coaching throughout a three- to six-month period. Consultations are available via telephone or video call, and prescriptions for necessary medications are provided accordingly.

For more information about how to successfully complete Dry January, visit: https://www.sinclairmethoduk.com/dry-january-programme.htm