Dry January can lead to sustained moderation
Dry January continues to gain attention with more people opting in for the month-long challenge, whether they have a serious problem with alcohol or they are sober curious and wondering about the benefits.
Recent research has shown that even a month without alcohol can have positive health impacts, and perhaps more importantly can help people cut back or quit alcohol for the long-term.
Addiction takes a real toll
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use is a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and about 178,000 people a year die from excessive drinking. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that 28 million, or one in ten people over the age of 12 have alcohol use disorder.
Experts in addiction treatment suggest that anyone considering taking a break from alcohol or other substances, whether it's tied to Dry January or not, should seriously consider why they might find it valuable and not discount the impulse.
Therapists and other healthcare professionals who hear a patient mention the possibility of Dry January or similar "challenges" should help patients embrace and examine the idea.
"If it comes up in even in passing, take the opportunity to explore it, and don't ignore it," suggested Endeavor Health's addiction treatment program manager Betsy White, LCSW. "If someone is considering this, it is worth asking more questions about why they want to do the challenge."
Exploring what the curiosity around Dry January is about can be a good place to start. "What's the goal of the experiment—is it to see if you can feel healthier without drinking, if you have control, if it changes your mood?" asked Endeavor Health clinical therapist Jaclyn Parell, LSW.
Successfully treating alcohol and other substance abuse issues means uncovering and understanding the other issues that often go along with addiction from anxiety and depression to a myriad of other conditions.
Exploring options around not drinking, or drinking less, will also shed light on how substances impact the rest of a person's life from relationships and work to parenting and overall health.
One step at a time
Dry January can help people be more reflective about their alcohol consumption and its effect on their entire life and the lives of those around them. "Even making a commitment for a short-term goal forces people to be mindful and get in touch with their behaviors in a way that can be very beneficial," said White.
Endeavor Health offers a full continuum of care from partial hospitalization to intensive outpatient programs with evidence-based, personalized therapies. Our outpatient centers, including the Doreen Chapman Center in Evanston, as well as Naperville and Plainfield, offer group-based treatment for adolescents and adults from all walks of life.
Young adults with substance use disorders often have very different presentations and different experiences than their peers from 20 years ago, and their addictive behaviors can be easier to hide.
Suggesting an evaluation for behavioral health services and addiction treatment can be the first step for a patient to address a real problem. It can be presented like pursuing a second opinion for any medical treatment.
Endeavor Health's therapeutic approach includes long-term recovery planning, helping patients build lasting and practical skills, strategies and strong support systems for continued healing and sustained wellness.
It's critical to note that alcohol withdrawal or withdrawal from other substances should not be taken lightly and can be a serious medical emergency. Medically supervised detox is critical to safely manage withdrawal from drugs and alcohol.
To learn more or schedule an evaluation, call (847) 432-5464.
