Alcohol Control

One month alcohol-free - what happens to your body?

You're not alone if your drinking has increased during the past several years. We are all under great stress due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and some of us have turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. According to the Office for National Statistics data, one in 20 people consume more than 50 units of alcohol per week, equivalent to more than five bottles of wine. This number is 50% higher than it was in March 2021. According to the NHS, men, and women should consume less than 14 units of alcohol per week; therefore, the quantity we drink on average is far more than what is advised.

What is Dry January?

Dry January involves giving up alcohol for the entire month of January. Since 2013, a "Dry January" has been promoted by the nonprofit organization Alcohol Change UK. The group wants to provoke people to reflect more deeply on their connection with alcohol. The campaign also aims to increase public awareness of the severity of alcoholism in the UK. 

Every year, more people resolve to abstain from alcohol during the first month of the year. The campaign has received plaudits for its positive effects on health.

What are the benefits of “Dry January”?

1. Healthier skin

As a result of alcohol's suppression of the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin, the kidneys expel too much water, which causes dehydration and frequent urination. If you regularly consume alcohol, you can be severely dehydrated most of the time. No matter how many creams or treatments you use, alcohol can dehydrate your skin. In 2019, the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology published a study on heavy drinking, smoking, and face aging in women in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. This study discovered that increased facial aging was linked to excessive alcohol consumption, defined as eight or more drinks per week for women.

2. Weight loss

Unsurprisingly, many people lose weight during Dry January because they cut less on the calories in alcoholic beverages. Many of them utilize their renewed energy to kickstart additional New Year's commitments, including exercising more and the calorie deficit. Dry January is the ideal time to get started on all of your health resolutions for the New Year because it can help you lose weight and get in shape.

3. Improved digestion and gut health

Alcohol irritates the digestive tract and limits the stomach's capacity to absorb nutrients. It causes bloating and pain by irritating and inflaming the GI system because it is an inflammatory agent. Also, research has shown that heavy drinking for a long period starts a process in the gut that causes inflammation throughout the body. Excessive drinking also makes it easier for harmful bacteria to flourish in the stomach, which results in an overabundance of these organisms and a disruption of the balance between good and harmful bacteria.

4. Better digestion

You can lower your risk of getting stomach irritation and acid reflux by eliminating alcohol from your diet. Alcohol irritates your digestive system, resulting in symptoms like indigestion and acid reflux. You'll be capable of taking in and storing vitamins and minerals better when you don't drink alcohol.

5. Reduced blood pressure

Alcohol intake is associated with high blood pressure, a major contributor to heart disease. Alcohol abuse can cause blood pressure to rise dangerously. More than three drinks at once momentarily raise blood pressure, but binge drinking on multiple occasions can cause long-term increases. This Dry January can help you in abstaining from alcohol and can assist you in changing for the better to lower high blood pressure.

6. Increased levels of energy and better sleep

When drinking alcohol, we usually sleep for longer stretches at first and alternate between light sleep and waking up as the alcohol wears off. A Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences study found that persistent alcohol consumption is linked to sleep issues in 35 to 91% of patients. The primary issues are poor sleep, tiredness during the day, and trouble falling asleep. 

The restorative kind of sleep, known as REM sleep, in which your brain recycles poisons and analyzes memories from the previous day, is disrupted by alcohol. According to the University of Sussex, 67% of Dry January participants reported having higher energy during the month, and 71% reported getting better sleep. 

7. Improved liver function

Those who drink heavily over time may develop cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is a late stage of liver scarring caused by various liver disorders and conditions, including prolonged alcoholism and hepatitis. 

Cirrhosis does not develop overnight, but there are fatty alterations to the liver in everyone who drinks excessively, defined as more than two drinks per day for males and one drink per day for women. When you stop drinking, your liver will often recover from the unfavorable effects and return to normal. Without alcohol, the liver may concentrate on other tasks, including metabolizing lipids and extra hormones that need to be broken down and other poisons the body produces.

How can you have a successful, Dry January?

• Start journaling

• Break up your routine

• Recruit a friend 

• Start a new workout routine 

• Find a substitute

• Explore new ways to cope

• Be gentle to yourself.