Did your “Dry January” lose steam?

It’s that time of year. Dry January. Does it sound like a bummer to you? Did you feel inspired but lost steam last weekend?

Here in the backyard of wine country, wine offers many a profession, a way of life and a deeply important hobby. Alcohol can be a vehicle for ritual, community and connection. I’m talking about a champagne toast, a shot of whisky to honor the dead, a sip of wine in a religious observance or the all too well known bachelorette, wine-tasting weekend (wouldn’t know anything about it, LOL).

Wine has a medicinal effect. It promotes blood and qi circulation, opens the meridians and disperses cold. The key is in the dosing. We don’t use that much to achieve this effect. From a Chinese Medicine perspective alcohol is energetically hot and damp. It’s fuel on the fire for hot, inflammatory conditions (joint pain, skin irritation, digestive issues, anxiety,depression, insomnia, UTI…). And chronic use can interfere with the absorption of B vitamins and Zinc. OH, and in January 2023 opens in a new windowThe World Health Organization (WHO) advised that any amount of alcohol is carcinogenic.

Historically I have advised periodic moderation or a break to support greater vitality, but that WHO advisory is hard to ignore. AND, regardless of your health concerns or worries, I acknowledge that moderation or abstinence are not always easy to achieve. If your social life or family culture is centered around drinking, the decision to take a pause might be met with resistance. If your body’s physiology and neurology are designed to attune to alcohol, it can be even harder.

If abstinence from alcohol is something you’ve been thinking about doing or are having trouble instigating, I suggest these supportive actions (many apply to sugar by the way):

1. Get clear on your why. Do you have a concerning health issue? Is it cancer prevention, health and longevity? Spirituality? Mood? Better relationships? Spend some time emotionally connecting with the potential that a break could offer you.
2. Communicate. Tell your partner, friends and family what you’re thinking of doing and why. You may receive more support if you recruit them to your vision of greater health, less anxiety and better sleep (maybe you’ll inspire them to join you).
3. Make supportive plans. Fill your upcoming calendar with social obligations that do not involve alcohol: hikes, museum trips, movies…
4. Remove the temptation. Get rid of your stash. At the very least get it out of quick reach.
5. Mocktails. Make sure to have a special alternative beverage on hand such as opens in a new windowAcala or opens in a new windowSeedlip to make a yummy mocktail. Don’t skimp on the garnish. Sometimes all we need is the evening wind down ritual rather than the alcohol.
6. Uplevel your Stress Management. If you rely on alcohol for stress management or to wind down, what will you replace it with? Exercise? Meditation? An evening bath?
7. Read Up. opens in a new windowThe Power of Habit and opens in a new windowHow to Change Your Drinking are helpful for understanding and hacking your sobriety project.
8. Get help. If you think you’re struggling with addiction, consider attending an opens in a new windowAlcoholics Anonymous meeting, one of these opens in a new windowalternative support groups, and/or schedule an appointment with your Medical Doctor to learn about allopathic medical interventions available to you.

By the way, did you know that acupuncture can help? The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol is prized and studied for its efficacy in treatment of addiction and trauma. I have gratefully relied on it for patients struggling with cravings and withdrawal symptoms from all types of substances. This is such a supportive adjunct to any treatment regardless of whether there is addiction.

Would you like to chat about acupuncture to support your break from or reduction in alcohol (or sugar, or cigarettes, or…)? You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation opens in a new window::HERE::