As the new year dawns, many of us look for ways to reset and recharge. Enter “Dry January”—a month-long break from alcohol that’s part trending hashtag, part personal challenge and part exercise in self-reflection. But for some, it’s more than just a social media trend; it’s an opportunity to address concerns about alcohol use and take meaningful steps toward better health.
If you’ve been questioning whether your relationship with alcohol is truly healthy, now might be the perfect time to take action. We spoke with Dr. Upton Siddons, a primary care provider at Baptist Health Family Clinic-Greenwood, to explore how alcohol impacts our well-being, practical tips for quitting, and how to know when it’s time to seek professional help.
Q: If someone wants to give up alcohol as a New Year’s resolution, is “Dry January” a good time to start?
Dr. Siddons: Any time is the right time to stop drinking. Certainly, many people find their levels of alcohol use increasing during the holidays and in the colder months of the year. If nothing else, taking a month off in the middle of it is a healthy choice for your body.
For some people, a date like New Year’s and the cultural habit of the resolution is a good way to fortify and launch a new, healthy lifestyle. For other people, it can appear as too much pressure or may simply not be the right time for them to address it appropriately. Regardless, the right time to quit for you is when you have the support and maximum chance of success based on your life.
Q: What happens to your body when you stop drinking ‘cold turkey’?
Dr. Siddons: For people that only engage in occasional alcohol use, less than half the days of the week, stopping “cold turkey’” is usually fine and without any medical concerns. Some people can use alcohol as an unhealthy coping mechanism for emotional and psychological stress and stopping alcohol use for a while can certainly be a good way to gauge whether or not you, yourself, are able to process these issues without a chemical aid.
People who engage in daily alcohol consumption, even if it is only a few drinks, are at elevated risk of going through medically complicated alcohol withdrawals. This can typically begin 48 hours after the last drink and can include everything from anxiety, tremors, nausea, racing heart, hallucinations, or seizures. At its worst, it can be fatal. For that reason, this level of alcohol use should often be reduced under the guidance of a medical professional like the substance abuse programs offered at Baptist Health.
Q: Anything we should consider before starting a resolution?
Dr. Siddons: I think one of the most helpful things anyone can do if they are trying to implement a change in their life, be it drinking or otherwise, is to seriously sit down and think about what role that habit plays in your life and when you will have the greatest temptation to cheat on your resolution. It is also great to have someone who plays a support role in your attempts to change. Many people can develop new habits within days to weeks of starting them and these two approaches are a great way to ensure that you continue healthy habits after January is over.
Q: As a PCP, do you talk to your patients about alcohol habits and what’s your advice?
Dr. Siddons: Culturally, humans have had relationships with alcohol for millennia. I think most people can have what ultimately amounts to occasional, moderate use of alcohol without consequence. However, medically, there is no healthy level of alcohol use and I always advise my patients that from a biological standpoint, alcohol is best defined as a deliriant and a poison that, while people use it for the euphoric and sedating effects it has on our mind, permeates all the organ systems of our body.
Substance Abuse Treatment
As part of our commitment to being a trusted partner in health for you, for life, Baptist Health offers programs and services for those who struggle with substance abuse issues, including our Recover program in Little Rock and New Vision programs in Fort Smith and Monticello. These state-of-the-art programs offer adult alcohol and drug dependency treatment for those 18 and older. To learn more about the programs and how to get started, click here.