Dry January: 10 Benefits of Taking a Break From Alcohol

Perhaps most notably, studies show it can https://ecosoberhouse.com/ your relationship with alcohol if and when you decide to imbibe again. Research even shows staying off the sauce for 30 days can actually make you feel more satisfied with life and more motivated and confident in your own abilities. In my experience, it’s virtually impossible to understand all of alcohol’s negative effects without going completely sober for at least a month.

Do I need a break from alcohol?

Drinking regularly will lead to an increase in tolerance to the short-term effects of alcohol and could lead to alcohol dependence. So it's important to take a break from alcohol so you don't become alcohol dependent.

Alcohol can ease emotions in the short term, but once the alcohol begins to wear off, it can actually create more anger, depression and anxiety. Plus, after three weeks without alcohol you will almost certainly be sleeping better, which also has mood-improving benefits. I don’t just mean that I get to skip PPD (post-party depression, or what-did-I-do-last-night syndrome) — I actually feel better able to regulate my emotions. As an opioid addict who’s been in recovery for two years, I practice non-abstinent sobriety, which means that I don’t take opioids, but I do drink and take other drugs. Yet as part of my process, I often do months or longer periods of alcohol sobriety, sometimes because I feel I might be at risk of relapse, and sometimes just because I love the way I feel when I’m totally sober. Quitting drinking for awhile doesn’t only have physical benefits — as I’ve learned firsthand, it also teaches you some things about your emotional self.

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How do I stop habitual drinking?

  1. Put it in writing.
  2. Set a drinking goal.
  3. Keep a diary of your drinking.
  4. Don't keep alcohol in your house.
  5. Drink slowly.
  6. Choose alcohol-free days.
  7. Watch for peer pressure.
  8. Keep busy.

Here are all the upsides you could see by taking a break from booze during Dry January . In this episode, learn how to change your drinking habit without relying on motivation, and the trick to generating motivation with your thoughts.

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You may have a goal in mind for how long you want to kick the booze. Either way, it’s a great idea to write down a plan for how you’re going to replace alcohol in your routine, and what you’ll do in scenarios where you know you’ll be tempted. For many, alcohol is a go-to substance to ease stress, relieve boredom, promote relaxation, or as a social lubricant. In many cultures, having a drink after work, with dinner, with a friend, or with a group is a perfectly acceptable behaviour. But once you piece together all those drinks in all those settings, the amount you’re consuming might surprise and alarm you, and the effect on your health may be dangerous.

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By driving sober, you’ll avoid causing an alcohol-related car accident, and you’ll be more alert to dealing with other drivers who may be dangerous on the road. She knows what it’s like to be fed up with your drinking, worried about judgment from others, and turned off by approaches that focus on a higher power instead of brain science.

Improved Sleep

“Say, hey, it’s taking a break from alcohol,” and tell them why you’re taking a break. If a friend isn’t supportive, it may be time to assess that friendship. It’s OK in moderate amounts — which means no more than 1 drink a day for women — no more than 2 per day for men.

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