WE ‘VE all had those moments. You wake up on a dreary Sunday morning, and you say something like “ I am never drinking again,” but then, lo and behold it’s the work
Christmas party, your best friends birthday, and then new years…and you’re right back to waking up feeling like a washed up log the next morning.
 Enter FebFast. A light hearted campaign to encourage people to give up alcohol for the month of February. While anyone can join up for Febfast, it is recommended that heavy drinkers do not, as Febfast co-ordinator Catherine Milburn says its not really a suitable treatment, but all proceeds from the initiative go towards four charities aimed at helping people get off the drink.
“It’s more for people who need a break after the festive season,” she says.   
Criminology student Samantha Keene has registered to Febfast for the first time this year.
She says alcohol plays a big part of her life, and recognises that this will be some form of challenge for her.
 “ I’m a uni student, so alcohol is generally quite dominant, so it will be difficult, but in the end I think it is such a good initiative, and its supporting worthy causes, and my health will improve a lot.”
While her friends and her parents have been supportive – her mum always telling her that she is “ killing her liver by drinking so much” – she finds that she has had some negative feedback from some groups.
“It’s the older generation – people in their sixties, who have been the least supportive. They seem to think that alcohol problems in youth is a result of substance abuse within the parents, which is not completely true, and a bit old fashioned.”
New Zealand’s first Febfast was last year, which attracted “ 1000 participants, and raised $107,000,” says Milburn.
 The recipient organisations for FebFast 2012 are Evolve, the ADHD Association, Rainbow Youth, Auckland, and CareNZ, Waikato.  
Registrations are now open via the Febfast website.
Febfast, February 1.