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Topics: Health, Food And Drink
Joshua Nair
As we entered the new year, many Brits decided to embark on Dry Jan to give their body a rest from the festive boozing throughout December.
Plenty of folks opt to ditch the booze during January - especially if you felt you had a particularly heavy December - and it can have a pretty big impact on your health, not to mention your finances.
However, how many people actually succeed in staying alcohol-free for the whole month?
Well, addiction therapists have compiled some advice for participants who may not have made it the whole month despite setting out to.
They've covered all bases - whether you've just had one or two, or had a couple of binge drinking days - so there's something in here for you to ensure you don't give up.
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You may have had a slight moment of weakness and had a drink or two one evening after a hard day.
Expert Neil Macaulay, an addiction therapist at Priory Hospital Glasgow, explained: "One or two drinks won’t negate all the good that you’ve done so far by changing your regular drinking habits. You will still feel the benefits of giving up alcohol in terms of sleeping, eating, energy levels and concentration."
Macaulay also highlighted that research suggests those who take part in Dry January are likely to be drinking less just six months later, even if they don't make it through the whole of January.
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“It is all about getting back on track and not drinking for the rest of the month. You are trying to change something that has become a habit. Lapses to old behaviours are common but this doesn’t mean you have failed completely," he added.
You may have given into the temptation to have a few drinks out with friends, or to have a bottle of wine one Friday night in front of the TV.
If you're in that situation, Macaulay explains: “This sounds like a serious lapse, but keep it to a lapse rather than reverting back to old behaviours.
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“It is still worthwhile continuing with Dry January because of the potential long-term benefits.
“Instead of looking at the binge as a disaster, view it as a learning opportunity. What’s associated with or linked to your drinking patterns? What triggers episodes of heavy drinking?"
It looks like the importance of understanding why you may feel like you need to drink is key in achieving your goal and developing a healthier relationship with alcohol.
The expert also emphasised that returning to old habits after January means it will have no long-term effects.
Lead addictions therapist at Priory Hospital Altrincham, Claire Rimmer, has provided some advice if you haven't been able to do Dry January despite wanting to.
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“If you had every intention of going alcohol-free for a month, but have found that transferring this intention into action has been difficult, your drinking may be more problematic than you first thought.
“If you have since become preoccupied with the thoughts of drinking, making excuses for a ‘time out’ from Dry January, and have found that ‘just one’ drink has set off cravings and urges, it is likely that you are problem drinker."
Rimmer makes it abundantly clear that you should seek advice from your GP if you find yourself in this situation.