If the festive season has left you feeling uneasy about your alcohol consumption, you might be considering taking part in Dry January.
Dry January is a campaign encouraging people to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January, often as a reset after holiday indulgence. Originally started by Alcohol Change UK, the initiative aims to prompt individuals to reflect on their drinking habits and assess whether their relationship with alcohol is a healthy one.
Many participants use Dry January as an opportunity for a New Year detox. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to unpleasant side effects, and in severe cases, alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD).
When the liver suffers significant damage, symptoms can include nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin and eyes, swelling in the ankles and abdomen, drowsiness, and even vomiting blood. Additionally, heavy drinking over just a few days can cause fat to build up in the liver.
The NHS notes that fatty liver disease is usually symptomless and reversible. “If you stop drinking alcohol for 2 weeks, your liver should return to normal,” the NHS explains. This means that by mid-January, your liver could potentially recover from the excesses of Christmas.
However, there are exceptions. The Cleveland Clinic cautions that recovery times can vary depending on the extent of liver damage. “There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer,” says Dr. Christina Lindenmeyer. “It depends on how much damage has already been done and any possible complications.”
The Cleveland Clinic further explains that abstaining from alcohol for two to four weeks helps reduce liver inflammation. However, if long-term alcohol use has caused significant damage, such as cirrhosis, doctors may recommend avoiding alcohol permanently. “For patients who are left with cirrhosis after severe injury to the liver from alcohol, even one drink of alcohol is toxic to the liver,” Dr. Lindenmeyer adds.
Cirrhosis occurs when the liver becomes scarred and is typically irreversible. However, stopping alcohol consumption can prevent further damage.
For those concerned about their drinking habits, a simple question can help determine if their relationship with alcohol might be problematic. Dr. Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, shared this insight with LADbible: “Typically, it takes a while before people notice their own dependence, but spotting it early can limit long-term health risks and help people take control of their lives.”
He suggests asking yourself, “Do I generally end up drinking more than I originally planned?” According to Dr. Grant, this can be a significant indicator of unhealthy dependence. “Struggling to have only one drink can suggest a mental dependence on drinking and is a major symptom experienced by many alcoholics,” he explains.
Dry January provides a chance to pause and reassess drinking habits, offering a potential path toward better health and balance.
