Revealed: How dry January can worsen your health and the signs you may be unknowingly dependent on alcohol

Dry January has clear benefits, from saving money to eliminating those hangover headaches.

But going booze-free for a month is allowed cause insomnia, depression and the tremors, doctors warn.

An estimated 175,000 people took part in Dry January in 2023, according to Alcohol Change UK.

But with one in six adults starting the new year with a break from booze, Rehabs UK warns that a month of sobriety could bring ‘unexpected harm’.

Suddenly quitting alcohol and going cold turkey can cause withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to severe in heavy users.

This is because alcohol has a depressant effect on the nervous system, meaning it reduces brain activity.

Over time, the body becomes accustomed to the presence of alcohol.

‘Events like Dry January and Sober October don’t work for everyone as many people don’t realize they are dependent on booze,’ says Lester Morse, founder and director of Rehabs UK.

‘What many people don’t know about quitting alcohol is that there are serious dangers if you are dependent on alcohol.

“In some cases, withdrawal can even result in death.”

More than a quarter of British adults drink regularly, and government estimates suggest there are more than 600,000 dependent drinkers in England alone.

However, only a fraction of these people receive treatment, Mr Morse warns.

“It doesn’t necessarily take a huge amount of alcohol to cause dependence in some people,” he said.

‘If you are a heavy drinker, there may be benefits to quitting drinking for a month; more money, fewer hangovers, looking and feeling better, and so on.

‘But if alcohol costs you more than money – perhaps relationships, jobs, friendships – you need to take a good, hard and honest look at your consumption.’

Doctors are urging people to seek medical advice if dryness causes them to shake, become very nervous and lose their appetite.

Signs that you are dependent on alcohol include difficulty quitting after just two drinks, feeling out of control when you drink, or that drinking is interfering with your daily life and health.

Alcohol withdrawal can also cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, tremors, insomnia, anxiety, palpitations and hallucinations, says clinical pharmacist and CEO of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, Dr Leyla Hannbeck.

But sudden withdrawal can lead to more serious symptoms in some cases, such as severe tremors and delirium, she explains.

‘The level of symptoms experienced depends on how much alcohol was consumed in what period and how often,’ says Dr Hannbeck.

‘Similar treatment will also depend on the level of alcohol consumption and may sometimes involve the prescription of medication or detoxification under the supervision of a supervisor, nurse or doctor or guidance.’

If someone drinks more than 14 units per week and craves alcohol first thing in the morning, they may be alcohol dependent, says Dr. Hannbeck.

Some may not remember drinking the night before and may not be able to continue with daily tasks due to drinking, she warns.

Other signs that you’re dependent on alcohol include difficulty quitting after just two drinks, feeling out of control when you drink, or that drinking is interfering with your daily life and health, says Julie Symes of Alcohol Change UK.

Dry January is an effective and sustainable way to cut down; research A University of Sussex study published in 2020 found that 70 percent of Dry January participants were still drinking less six months later – but interestingly this was only true for those who did the campaign with support from Alcohol Change UK.

Dr. Hannbeck agrees that going sober for a month can be a positive step in helping your body feel better. But urges those who rely on alcohol to start their sober journey by speaking to a GP or a charity that supports people with alcohol abuse.

DO YOU DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL? THE 10 QUESTIONS THAT REVEAL YOUR RISK

A screening tool commonly used by medical professionals is the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tests). The ten-question test was developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization and is considered the gold standard in determining whether someone has alcohol abuse problems.

The test is reproduced here with permission from WHO.

To complete it, answer each question and record the corresponding score.

YOUR SCORE:

0-7: You are within the reasonable drinking range and at low risk for alcohol-related problems.

More than 8: Indicate harmful or dangerous drinking.

8-15: Medium risk level. If you drink at your current level, you risk developing problems with your health and life in general, such as at work and in your relationships. Consider cutting back (see below for tips).

16-19: Higher risk of complications from alcohol. At this level it can be difficult to cut back on yourself because you may be dependent and therefore need professional help from your GP and/or a care provider.

20 and older: Possible dependency. Your drinking is already causing problems, and you could very well be dependent. You should definitely consider quitting gradually or at least reducing your alcohol consumption. You should seek professional help to determine your level of dependence and the safest way to quit alcohol.

Severe dependence may require medically supervised withdrawal or detox in a hospital or specialized clinic. This is due to the likelihood that severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms will occur during the first 48 hours, requiring specialist treatment.