For about a decade, January has become the month some people decide to abstain from drinking alcohol as part of their New Year’s resolution. “Dry January” is a public health campaign practiced across the U.S. and European countries. About 35% of legal-aged adults participated in Dry January in 2022. Whether you decide to set boundaries for your alcohol consumption or stop drinking altogether, it gives people the chance to reflect on their relationship with alcohol.
Excessive drinking has several long-term health consequences: increased risk of cancer, memory problems, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal and heart problems, and increased weight.
We realize that for many people, this can be more than just a social media challenge. If you are afraid that you will experience Alcohol Withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors, nausea, sweating, anxiety, depression, and hallucinations, then you may have a more serious alcohol dependency. We recommend talking to a healthcare provider. At Summit Medical Specialists we are experienced in treating mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms and offer ongoing medication-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence.
During this month, people may realize that they have a more complicated relationship with alcohol. Many people use alcohol to treat their depression and anxiety, especially during and after the holidays. As Primary Care providers, we treat the underlying anxiety and depression that leads to the uncontrollable urge to use alcohol. We are trained to prescribe naltrexone, a non-addictive, once-monthly treatment used with counseling, in order to reduce alcohol use so that you can meet your goals for a more realistic “dry” January.
