In January, there are wishes, good resolutions, galette des rois and… Dry January! Officially launched in France in 2020, this alcohol-free month (because literally, “Dry January” means “dry January”) is attracting more and more French people: in 2024, more than 5 million people have attempted the challenge, an increase +75% of participants compared to 2023.
Quit alcohol for better sleep and regained freedom of choice
Is it really worth it to not drink a single drop of alcohol for 31 days straight? Yes, replies Dr. Marion Zami, addictologist at the Saint Barnabé clinic (Marseille) and member of the scientific college of the Ramsay Santé Foundation: “we all have something to gain from drinking less alcohol, at least for a month: the benefits are physical as well as psychological, and some are immediate.“
Exactly, let’s start with the benefits that we can immediately see. As soon as you stop drinking alcohol (that is to say: on D+1, or almost)…
You sleep better. Dr. Marion Zami is categorical: “71% of people who do Dry January notice an almost immediate improvement in their sleep“. Because contrary to popular belief, alcohol does not help you sleep: “yes, alcohol has a sedative effect, so it makes it easier to fall asleep… but it also has a negative impact on sleep cycles! Clearly, when you drink alcohol in the evening, you fall asleep more quickly but your sleep is of poorer quality: you recover less well on a physical and psychological level.“And you still have the feeling of being tired in the morning when you wake up.
You have better control over your alcohol consumption. “80% of people who did Dry January report having regained a certain feeling of freedom of choice regarding their consumptionunderlines the addictologist doctor. After this month without alcohol, most of the participants continue to drink less often, and in smaller quantities..”
Dry January: most benefits are visible after 15 days
The most obvious benefits of Dry January appear after 2 weeks without drinking alcohol. In the space of 15 days (approximately)…
You lose weight. Because we don’t think about it, but alcohol is (very) caloric! “One gram of alcohol provides 7 caloriesreveals Dr. Marion Zami. A standard glass (which contains 10 g of pure alcohol) therefore provides 70 Kcal. A bottle of wine is around 500 Kcal (as much as a steak + 1 portion of fries… but without the nutritional benefit!), while a bottle of whiskey contains 1500 Kcal“.
You are less anxious and less depressed. Here again, a stubborn preconception is that alcohol improves mood. “However, when we observe what is happening in the brain, we see that it is exactly the opposite: alcohol increases anxiety and depressive signs.” notes the addictologist. By stopping alcohol, we find a certain serenity…
Your skin becomes more beautiful. Alcoholic drinks do not hydrate, quite the contrary! “When you stop drinking alcohol, your body has better hydration. And this is particularly visible in your skin, which becomes more supple, less marked and more luminous.” specifies Dr. Marion Zami.
Alcohol is responsible for 49,000 deaths each year
And then? In the longer term (understand: from 15 days of Dry January), stopping alcohol provides better immunity, you gradually regain a healthy liver (in the space of 8 weeks, the organ is regenerated if the lesions were not too significant or irreversible) and above all, you reduce your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. As a reminder, alcohol consumption is responsible for 49,000 deaths per year in France.
“A quarter of the population exceeds the consumption benchmarks set by the health authorities, which are 2 drinks per day (but not every day) and at least 2 days without alcohol during the week.” adds the addictologist.
It’s not too late to sign up for Dry January: appointment on the DryJanuary.fr website. But be careful! “If you suffer from alcohol dependence (i.e. if you show physical signs, such as trembling, sweating, restlessness) after 6 to 8 hours without alcohol, consult your doctor promptly. . Don’t give up alcohol alone, it can be dangerous for you” warns Dr. Marion Zami.
Thanks to Dr. Marion Zami, addictologist at the Saint Barnabé clinic (Marseille) and member of the scientific college of the Ramsay Health Foundation.
Source: www.topsante.com
