Dry February

By Dr. Geraldine Luna 

The Health Departments are promoting the Dry January challenge, which could represent the beginning of long-term alcohol abstinence. If you missed Dry January, Dry February is next, and we will explain how. It's never too late to spread the love this Valentine's season!

What is Dry January or Dry February?

A month of alcohol abstinence has proven to have significant benefits to the individual’s health, such as improving the quality of sleep, weight, mood, and energy, improving liver function, saving money, and decreasing cancer risk. Public health campaign encourages Americans to begin the year without alcohol, helping reset priorities after experiencing the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle for a month.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer, after tobacco and obesity, responsible for 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually. There are 178,000 deaths from excessive alcohol use each year in the United States.  

This initiative was started in 2012 by Alcohol Change UK, a British charity, and now it is implemented globally.

Risks of Excessive Alcohol Consumption

• Excessive alcohol use can have immediate and long-term effects.

  • Immediate Risks:

    • Injuries: motor vehicle accidents, falls, burns, and drowning.

    • Violence: increase in homicide, suicide, sexual violence, and intimate partner violence.

    • Alcohol Intoxication: affects the heart rate and breathing. Increases overdoses and death when used with other drugs like opioids.

    • Increases sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancy.

  • Long Term Risks:

    • Chronic Diseases

      • High blood pressure.

      • Heart disease.

      • Liver disease.

      • Stroke.

      • Digestive problems.

      • Weaker immune system—increasing your chances of getting sick.

      • Cancers (mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), esophagus, colon and rectum, and liver).

  • Pregnancy Risks:

    • Miscarriage, stillbirth, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

  • Social and Wellness Risks:

    • Depression and Anxiety.

    • Learning problems, and issues at school or work.

    • Memory problems, including dementia.

      
      

Common Reasons for Alcohol Consumption

• Relaxing.

• Fun and Socialization.

• Deal with Stress.

• Improve Sleep.

  
  

Alternative Healthier Practices to Achieve the Same Goals

• Walk or Hike.

• Practice Yoga or other Relaxation/Meditation Practices.

• Socialize with Family and Friends – weekend games, picnics, outdoor activities, and events.

  
  

Strategies for Engagement with Dry January 

• Share your plan with family and friends.

• Make sure that you have alcohol-free options at parties and gatherings

• Be prepared to firmly say “no, thank you” when alcoholic beverages are offered.

• Be observant and record the benefits of this decision as you progress, such as better sleep, more energy, etc. That will keep you motivated.

• Develop a long-term strategy of engagement and avoid slipping back into old habits.

  
  

Where Can I Get Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use, the Illinois helpline can help. Visit HelplineIL.org, call (833-2FINDHELP (833) 234-6343, or text“HELP” to 833234 for free, confidential service available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Regards,

Geraldine Luna, MD, MPH, MBAc

Medical Director  

Commissioner's Office

Chicago Department of Public Health