Done With Dry January? 3 Things To Consider Before Drinking Again

As Dry January comes to a close, some of us may choose to continue our alcohol-free journey while others might be eager to return to their regular drinking habits after a month of cleansing. Both choices are completely valid, but there are a few important things to keep in mind before diving back into regular alcohol consumption after a period of sobriety.

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1. Your tolerance level will go down.

In a SELF article published Jan. 28, Henry Kranzler, director of the Center for Studies of Addiction at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, explained that jumping straight back into drinking after a month of Dry January can lower your alcohol tolerance. As a result, alcohol may hit you harder, causing you to get drunk faster and potentially leading to more intense hangovers.

This idea is echoed by Genesis Recovery, which notes that after a break from drinking, the body no longer tolerates alcohol the way it once did. When alcohol floods the system, its effects are amplified, making it easier to become intoxicated more quickly. If someone resumes drinking at their old pace, they risk blacking out or encountering other serious dangers.

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2. Don’t overdo it.

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If you decide to drink again, it’s important not to overdo it. After a period of abstaining, diving back into drinking can lead to consuming more than you did before. Dr. Kranzler refers to this as the “alcohol deprivation effect.” When someone is used to having regular access to alcohol, then abruptly stops for a brief period, they often end up drinking more once they can drink again, sometimes exceeding their original intake.

This is particularly concerning because alcohol affects the brain’s reward and motivation systems, as well as regions responsible for motor control, emotions, stress responses, learning, and memory, according to Gallus Detox. With regular alcohol consumption, the brain begins to adjust, altering these functions to accommodate its presence – which can lead to a slew of health issues.

Here’s why. When alcohol enters the system, it causes a rapid surge in dopamine and other neurotransmitters, leading to an intense sense of euphoria. This spike reinforces the urge to drink, and when alcohol is reintroduced after a period of abstinence, the brain reacts more quickly, which can be dangerous if you’re drinking large amounts. Heavy drinking can trigger and worsen mood swings, depression and lead to brain fog, as alcohol disrupts the brain’s chemical balance, intensifying feelings of sadness or hopelessness, the Mental Health notes.

Excessive alcohol consumption also raises the risk of developing mental health issues like anxiety and panic disorders, making it harder to manage stress and emotional struggles. These mood shifts happen because alcohol disrupts the brain’s neurochemistry, throwing off its natural balance.

Additionally, heavy drinking can cause damage to vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver, impairing their ability to detoxify and cleanse the body, according to the Cleveland Clinic and the Physicians Alliance of Connecticut.

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3. Get clear about where you stand with alcohol.

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Before jumping back into your regular drinking routine, take a moment to reflect on why you want to drink again. Are you feeling social pressure, or do you genuinely miss the taste and sensation of alcohol? Getting clear on your motivations is key.

If you appreciated the clarity and health benefits of Dry January, keep in mind that resuming drinking could undo all the progress you’ve made. Take the time to set long-term goals and decide if drinking aligns with your overall well-being.

As Drew Horowitz advises, you don’t have to stay sober forever, but it’s important to make choices that support your health and safety. If you know alcohol has negatively impacted your health, career, or relationships in the past, it might be best to continue your sober journey.

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