Marquette, Mich. (WZMQ) – Dry January is an opportunity to step back and take a look at your own alcohol consumption. 25% of Americans participated in Dry January, with many hoping to continue their sobriety well past the 31st. Dr Ryan Brang, co-founder of North Country Health, says remaining sober into February has its merit.
“There’s never been a better time in American history to drink less, whether you are doing a Dry January or not. I think everybody should at least experiment with what it feels like to go without alcohol for at least a couple of weeks and just see how you feel after I think for most people, after 30 days, they feel a dramatic difference,” said Dr. Brang.
Substance Abuse Counselor for UP Health System, Galina Taylor says most people tend to feel better after 30 days on the wagon.
“If you’re noticing that your work performance has improved over the past month, or you’re noticing your interpersonal relationships with friends and family have improved because you are not drinking,” explained Taylor.
Those who take part in dry January rarely regret it. Dr. Brang knows why.
Alcohol is a toxin. It’s a poison, and like all things, poison depends on the dose, but even in moderate amounts, alcohol can be very harmful to your heart, to your general health, to your ability to sleep well, to maintain good relationships, all that is part of it,” said Dr. Brang.
Regardless of the reasons you had a Dry January, continuing a sober lifestyle is as personal as it gets.
“There comes a point when the individual needs to find their own deeper internal reasoning for continuing Dry January,” said Taylor.
So, with Dry January about to wrap up, it’s now a good time to contemplate a dry February.
