Does No Alcohol or Dry January Make a Difference?
January arrives, and everyone on social media is about the new year, new me lifestyle. While many are focused on healthier diet choices or exercising more, a growing trend has many taking part in dry January. More and more people are evaluating the harmful effects of alcohol. Even if you’re not getting drunk every day or have a few drinks a few times a week, going dry all month long (31 days) can seem daunting.
Does No Alcohol or Dry January Make a Difference?
Is it worth doing a dry January in the first place? What are the benefits of not drinking alcohol for a month? This post unpacks everything you need to know about how giving up alcohol for a month can benefit your life long term.
What Can You Expect from Participating in Dry January?
So, how does going alcohol-free for a month affect your physiology? You can expect changes in your body and mind similar to the ones outlined below when you give up alcohol for one month.
- Day 1 – If you’re a moderate drinker, you might find it a bit challenging to fall asleep.
- Day 3 – A lack of proper hydration might make you feel like you have a long hangover.
- Day 5 – You might start experiencing sugar cravings, but you’ll notice your mind feels sharper.
- Day 7 – Your sleep improves, and you start experiencing vivid dreams.
- Day 10 – Your mood improves, and you feel more energized.
- Day 31 – You’ll probably feel so good you’ll stop drinking for a while.
What are the Health Benefits of Participating in Dry January?
Detox the Liver
If you drink moderately, your liver can still take a beating over time. As a result, people who drink for many years develop conditions like “fatty liver” that impact their overall health. The liver acts as the body’s primary filter, and when you drink alcohol, it makes it less efficient.
Fortunately, the liver is one of the only organs in the body with the capacity to regenerate. After a month off the booze, you’ll feel and look much better as your liver heals.
Enhanced Skin Health
Consuming alcohol affects your skin health. Look at moderate to heavy drinkers; you’ll see redness in their faces, and their skin looks less vibrant than people who don’t drink or limit their alcohol intake. Alcohol acts as a diuretic on the body and dehydrates you.
Dehydration harms skin health, making you look older faster. A dry January means you’re better hydrated during the month. Chances are you’ll notice a change in skin health on your face after just two weeks.
Better Sleep
You’ll notice that going dry affects your sleep dramatically. In the beginning, the body’s withdrawal from alcohol, even as a moderate drinker, affects your sleep.
You’ll find you toss and turn, and it’s harder to fall asleep at first. However, by the end of the first week, you’ll feel it taking a turn, and you start to sleep much better.
Boost the Immune System
Alcohol is an immune system suppressant. Stopping drinking makes you less likely to experience disease and dysfunction in your body.
What are the Drawbacks of Participating in Dry January?
If you’re a moderate to heavy drinker, you could experience adverse events if you stop drinking immediately. For example, you might notice you develop problems like insomnia. In some cases, alcoholics might experience seizures if they go cold turkey.
The Verdict – Does Dry or No Alcohol January Make a Difference to Your Health?
According to research from The University of Sussex, six months after Dry January, 70 percent of people change their relationship with alcohol and consume adult beverages less frequently.
Other known statistics include an improvement in sleep in 70 percent of participants, 86 percent of participants said they saved more money, and 65 percent noticed improvements in their overall health.
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I, Carly Spring, M.S., LIMHP, LADC, CPC, offer my specialized expertise to assist in the healing process to anyone who may be experiencing and suffering from a vast spectrum of mental health issues. Such mental health issues include behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, addiction issues, and life transitions. I believe strongly in applying a holistic perspective addressing your whole person not just the bits and pieces of you. Contact us with any questions or to discuss substance abuse/addiction services in Omaha today.
