A new digital campaign will help Canberrans who want to reduce alcohol use find practical ways to make a change.
I’m Good, a digital campaign developed by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and funded by the ACT Government, was created in response to new survey findings showing that one in three (33.4 per cent) Canberrans plan to cut back or cut out alcohol in the next 12 months.
But for many, knowing where to start can be the hardest part. One in 10 (11.5 per cent) Canberrans said they want to cut back but don’t know how.
The survey of Canberrans aged 18 and over also found:
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One third (31.4%) of people said that when they drink alcohol, it disrupts their sleep
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One in five (21.7%) said that after drinking alcohol, they feel more worried or anxious than usual the next day.
FARE CEO Ayla Chorley said the campaign includes local Canberran stories and practical tips for cutting back or cutting out alcohol.
“Canberrans who have cut back or cut out alcohol have found new ways to connect and built deeper relationships, are sleeping better, have more energy, and are discovering new hobbies and routines,” Ms Chorley said.
“This campaign provides practical tools for navigating social situations and conversations about alcohol, to help people make decisions that feel right for them. This is particularly helpful as we head into the festive period.”
“You don’t have to commit to a big change – you can start by saying ‘I’m Good’ the next time you’re offered a drink.”
ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the digital campaign provided practical support to help Canberrans drink in line with the Australian Alcohol Guidelines.
“The ACT Government is proud to fund this campaign as part of the Healthy Canberra Grants Program,” she said.
“The evidence is clear that alcohol is harmful to health in both the short and long term, with negative impacts extending to families and our community. While most people aren’t familiar with the current Australian Alcohol Guidelines - which recommend that healthy adults have no more than four standard drinks on any day and no more than ten in a week - we often know that the less we drink, the better we feel.”
The campaign showcases real stories from Canberrans who are thriving after saying “I’m Good” and either cutting back or cutting out alcohol, including Meg and Simon.
Meg, a 42-year-old mother-of-three cut out alcohol for three months at the start of 2025, and kept going when she saw improvements to her health and sleep.
“Since I've stopped drinking alcohol, my life has changed for the better. I have more energy to do things, and there’s been a knock-on effect of making better choices around my health. It is so much easier to do something with even just one person on your side who is experiencing the same things as you,” she said.
Simon, a 46-year-old father-of-one, cut back on alcohol in his early 30s to support his early starts as a personal trainer.
“Saying ‘I’m Good’ means I don’t need to immediately say yes to alcohol. The more I've said it, the sharper and and healthier in my body I’ve felt,” he said.
If you or a loved one is thinking about cutting back or cutting our alcohol, head to the I’m Good website to help you get started.
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Media outlets are requested to promote help-seeking information when reporting on alcohol and other drugs, in line with the Mindframe National Guidelines.
Suggested wording relating this this media story: If you or someone you know needs support, please call Lifeline 13 11 14, the National 24/7 Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline 1800 250 015 or 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732.
About us:
The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) is a not-for-profit organisation with a vision for an Australia free from alcohol harms – where communities are healthy and well, and where laws, policies and programs are fair, equitable and just.
Contact details:
Lucy Smith | [email protected] | 0437 084 517