Some people may choose to make health a priority in the new year by cutting back or eliminating things from their diet, including alcohol.


Dry January has become a popular craze, giving up alcohol for the first month of the year.


Dr. Mandy Fauble, the Director of Clinical Care Services at UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor said, "Dry January is all about evaluating your relationship with alcohol during the month of January and of course cutting down or going completely dry."


According to health professionals, the popular trend has both mental and physical health benefits.
Nina Ferraro, the Director Behavioral Health at AHN explained, "Alcohol can actually increase anxiety and depression for people, so reducing alcohol can reduce that anxiety or depression. It also can help give you some mental clarity."


The month of eliminating wine and spirits can also lead to people seeing physical changes as well. Dr. Frank Tursi, a Family Physician at LECOM said, "We try to remind them both the caloric intake part, certainly diabetics it throws those people off. Anybody has any mental health or depression issues, they sometimes think the alcohol makes it better, we know it doesn't it makes it worse. I try to tell them if you can't quit, at least by cutting back you are being less bad."


The new habit of giving up or reducing alcohol intake also opens the door to people who may want to change their relationship with drinking after the month is over "It makes being sober curious fun and cool and can kind of introduce people to the idea of cutting back on alcohol use" said Dr. Fauble.

Dr. Tursi also stressed that even if people hit bumps in the road and drink and have to reset, it's better to that than to just give up.

He also recommended people surrounding themselves with others who support them on this journey.

If you are someone you know is struggling with alcohol, resources are available:

 
Search for PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs for information on Substance Use Disorder Treatment or call the toll-free PA Get Help Now helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It’s available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and staffed by trained professionals.
A live chat option is also available online or via text message at 717-216-0905 for those seeking help who may not be comfortable speaking to a helpline operator.