Month without grog challenging way to feel good

Could you go a month without alcohol? That's the challenge being laid down by an innovative campaign asking Australians to give up booze for a good cause.

The founders of FebFast say the best antidote to a hangover-inducing season of Christmas parties, New Year celebrations and summer holidays is a four-week period of abstinence.

Inviting participants to make February their "fast track to feeling good", the venture will raise funds for young people struggling with drug and alcohol abuse problems. Those accepting the challenge will pay a registration fee on the FebFast website and have friends, family and colleagues sponsor their detox. A "time-out" pass can be purchased if people want to have a drink on a special occasion such as Valentine's Day.

FebFast founder Fiona Healy came up with the idea at a barbecue last Christmas when she and a friend pledged to give up alcohol in February — the shortest month — and raised more than $900. "Rather than come home after work and have a glass of wine, I found myself going for a walk or doing some exercise. I grew quite fond of cranberry juice and I found I was sleeping better, too," Ms Healy said.

"My friends and family were giving me money but it also really makes you aware that young people with serious drug and alcohol abuse problems probably don't have that support. If it's a little bit difficult for me to give up for a month, how difficult must it be for somebody who is struggling with a serious substance abuse problem?"

Beneficiaries of funds raised will include the Youth Substance Abuse Service, Victoria's largest provider of youth drug and alcohol services, which is struggling to cope with growing demand in a massively under-resourced sector.

Backers include energy company AGL, which will pay the registration fee for any employee wishing to take part, but the charity operates on a shoestring and sponsors are sought.

Victoria Police are supporters, with Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe pledging to take part and encourage all officers to register. "Alcohol is a significant contributor to issues around public order, assaults in the public domain, domestic violence," he said. "This is a great opportunity to give a wake-up call to the community to really think about how they use alcohol."

The Age