«Whether you are able to not drink the entire month or whether you do sometimes drink in that month, you’re still likely to see some benefits in terms of psychological health and physical health,» Dr. Iannucci explains. «Most people will notice the immediate effects of alcohol,» Dr. Iannucci says, citing the ability to fall asleep earlier as an example. But while this is true for many people, he says alcohol consumption can also cause «morning awakening and fitful sleep.» If you’re able to quit or reduce your alcohol consumption while you’re in your 20s, your skin in your 30s, 40s and beyond will thank you. That said, it’s never too late to start making healthier decisions, and Dry January may be the perfect time to start.

• One of the key reasons, according to the data, is that people continue to participate for years after they have completed the 12-step program.
• You’ll experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and flushing whenever you drink alcohol when on the medication.
• Many theories of the causes of alcoholism rest on the limited perspectives of specialists in particular disciplines or professions.
• The diagnosis is made when drinking interferes with your life or affects your health.
• In addition to ongoing mental health support, enhancing an individual’s “recovery resources” is also important.

Better sleep and weight management are «some of the most consistent benefits,» Dr. Rocco Iannucci, MD, director of the Fernside Residential Treatment Program at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital, tells PEOPLE. «Folks may be able to cut down from three drinks a day to two drinks a day, but they can’t get to the point where they can get down to one drink a day,» Fiellin said. «It’s all good progress, but it’s also a sign that they should seek out professional help.» HuffPost is your trusted source for stories that help you lead a better life. We’ve got you covered on all things health, wellness, food, style, parenting, relationships, work, travel and lifestyle. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small.

Dry January can improve your sex life

Getting help before your problem drinking progresses to severe alcohol use disorder can save your life. Alcoholism is a term that is sometimes used why do people become alcoholics to describe what is known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Antioxidant cocktails and vitamin E have not shown benefit in severe AH (209,231,244).

Alcohol use disorder is considered a progressive disease, meaning that the effects of drinking alcohol become increasingly more severe over time. Taking an alcoholism screening quiz can help you determine whether you have the symptoms of an alcohol use disorder. Healthcare burdens from AUD and ALD are significant in the United States and worldwide and are increasing in recent years. Providers in all clinical areas must be prepared to care for this growing population of patients. Patients with ALD often present at an advanced stage are rarely offered AUD treatment and have few effective therapies aimed at their liver disease. Policy aimed at alcohol use reduction, multidisciplinary care of the dual diagnoses of AUD and ALD, and refinement of LT algorithms for patients with severe AH are areas where research should be focused.

Dry January can cause you to cut back on alcohol altogether

Whether at home, at work, or in any other environment that causes stress, some people will have a drink to unwind and relax. However, for those who develop an alcohol use disorder, this becomes a coping mechanism and turns into a maladaptive, repeating pattern. If you have a mental health disorder, it’s also tempting to use alcohol to mask your symptoms.

Among those ages 35 to 54, the shares who do these things have remained relatively stable over time. In general, AUDs tend to be more prevalent in individuals with lower levels of education and lower income. You might be prescribed medication to help with your condition in severe cases.