Dry January’s health benefits and how to take an alcohol break : Life Kit : NPR

He started drinking in high school, he says, and got his first DUI at 16. “Not everybody wants to get wasted when they go to the bar,” says Forte. Sometimes, being there is just about wanting to be social and fit in. Another social club member, Kathy Kuzniar, says she used to obsess over whether there was enough wine in the house.

What is withdrawal?

Mornings take on a new meaning when you don’t drink because you never regret the choices of the night before. Mornings expand, and it’s not a frantic race to get out of bed and get to work. You can wake up early, enjoy a cup of coffee before the house stirs, and do things that make you happy like meditate, workout, or write. Find out about Own Your Limits, which helps you learn how to drink alcohol responsibly. These ideas are all helpful when you’re taking a break from drinking.

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Numerous studies have researched the ways in which alcohol disrupts our sleeping patterns. Generally, while alcohol can have a sedative effect at first, helping you fall asleep, it typically results in poor quality of sleep. Participants in Dry January or other temporary sober periods noticed an increase in their quality of sleep. Some research suggests that even moderate drinking may raise cancer risk. For anyone concerned about heart health, Dasgupta recommended decreasing alcohol marijuana addiction intake and increasing physical activity, which also raises good cholesterol.

A Rest for Your Heart

• Regular drinking can lead to poor-quality sleep, making you feel groggy and tired the next day.
• A small study published in the British Journal of Medicine showed a remarkable reduction in cancer-related markers in participants who refrained from drinking alcohol for one month.
• Even if you don’t drink a lot, the end of an alcohol-free month is a good time to reflect on your relationship with alcohol.
• Because the liver is a tolerant organ, he said positive changes can occur within weeks of going dry.

Just remember that there is no single approach that works for everyone. In a large-scale study of alcohol treatment methods, researchers found that a combination of medication, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and social support was most effective. The study also showed that no single treatment approach fits the needs of every individual.

• Try exercising, practicing mindfulness, engaging in hobbies, or spending time with supportive friends and family.
• We tend to feel the pain of losing something much more intensely than the pleasure of gaining something of equal value.
• What’s more, it opens the door to new experiences and pastimes you might not have considered while drinking.
• The digestive tract heals quickly after someone cuts out alcohol, according to Debbie Petitpain, MBA, RDN, a registered dietitian based in Charleston.
• For college students, being dry is the best thing to do,” he said.

Biotin supports keratin production, zinc helps maintain healthy oil glands, and folic acid facilitates cell turnover and the regeneration of hair follicles. However, alcohol affects how your body absorbs these nutrients. Alcohol causes a “steady depletion of the vitamins and minerals that our body needs to feel our best,” explains Brooke Scheller, DCN, CNS, doctor of clinical nutrition.

Take note of your mental health

When you drink less, your health, lifestyle and relationships gain more. Cutting back on alcohol by taking a break could be a first step. If you want to really see these benefits in your life, choose 30 days to drop drinking, see if a buddy will join you and think about how you feel along the way. During the process, learn how you can reshape your drinking routine and best manage alcohol in your life. Taking a break from drinking doesn’t have to mean giving up alcohol for months on end. For example, you can use an alcohol break to support your physical readiness.

Manage Cravings in Healthy Ways

• It’s hardly a secret that having a few drinks alters the way your brain works.
• Recognize the situations, emotions, or people that lead you to drink.
• Alcohol has quite deleterious effects, as ethanol, an organic compound in alcohol, is a toxin to our body, Scheller explains.
• Delirium tremens (DTs), also known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome, is a severe form of withdrawal that can happen when a person gives up alcohol.
• This mental clarity can enhance your productivity at work or school, help you make better decisions in your personal life, and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
• Dasgupta said the best people to avoid alcohol always are those under 21 years old, and not just for legal reasons.
• “You get the best benefit from alcohol when you drink in moderation.

Rethinking Drinking is also a tool for helping you examine your relationship with alcohol. Struggling with alcohol addiction can feel overwhelming, but recovery is possible with the right support. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, we provide comprehensive treatment programs designed to help individuals reclaim their lives from alcohol dependence. Whether you need residential https://ecosoberhouse.com/ addiction treatment, outpatient care, sober living, or mental health support, our evidence-based programs offer the structure and guidance necessary for long-term sobriety. Again, it seems counterintuitive – for a lot of us, drinking seems to help us loosen up and have fun.

Physical Health Benefits: Weight Loss and Lower Blood Pressure

If you’re thinking about quitting alcohol, you’re already taking the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. Whether you’re struggling with daily drinking, experiencing negative consequences, or simply feeling like alcohol has too much control over your life, we can help you. Alcohol addiction rehab programs in Portland provide the professional support, structure, and community needed to break free from alcohol dependence. No matter where you are in your recovery journey, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

Hangovers, or alcohol withdrawal, cause hormonal changes, too, which explains why we might feel so crummy after drinking. Alcohol has quite deleterious effects, as ethanol, an organic compound in alcohol, is a toxin to our body, Scheller explains. Over time, this can turn into a detrimental cycle of drinking, feeling anxious, and then drinking more to reinstate a feeling of calm.

Benefits of Taking a Break from Alcohol

Whatever the reasons for taking a break from alcohol, studies have shown there are a great deal of benefits. These include tips for cutting down or quitting, reminder strategies to help you remember why and how you decided to do it, and taking a break from alcohol ways your family and friends can support you. All these strategies can help you stay motivated in your efforts to take a break from alcohol.