Not everyone is focused on long-term sobriety—and that’s okay. Everyone’s journey is different. For some, taking a short break like Dry January can offer helpful insight and health benefits. But if you’re doing it because alcohol has started to cause problems in your life, it may be a sign that more than just a month-long break is needed.
Dry January Benefits: What Is Dry January?
Dry January refers to taking the month of January “off” from all drinking and using substances. Many people do this because they often “party” excessively over the Winter Holidays and need a break. This is also often one of the resolutions people make on New Year’s Eve – “I will not drink in the month of January.”
Now, of course, Dry January can have many benefits as alcohol and substances are ultimately toxic chemicals. So, leaving them out of your body is bound to have a positive effect in one way or another. The following are some of the potential benefits of Dry January:
- Feeling better physically
- Improved skin, hair, and nails
- Better sleep patterns
- Saving money by not drinking or using substances
- Improved mental clarity
- Feeling better emotionally (less anxiety and depression)
- Better opportunities for honest connections with others
- More time to spend on other activities you enjoy
- Not worrying about any legal consequences from drinking or using
Who Participates in Dry January?
Many people participate in Dry January. However, it is often those who tend to “party” the most who partake in it. The reason for this is often simple – their mind, body, and soul need a break. Dry January is also often celebrated in groups. This is because people often want to support each other as they are going through it.
The sad reality is that many people who participate in Dry January do not make it through the entire month. This is often because something comes up, like a “fun” event, and they feel that they need to drink to participate in it. However, for some people, they cannot get through the month because they have a bigger issue beyond just stopping for a month.
Do I Have a Problem That Needs More Attention Than Dry January?
There is a saying in 12-Step recovery that goes, “If you are asking whether you have a problem, then you most likely have a problem.” This is because the people who ask questions about whether they have a problem with alcohol or substances are usually the same people who are experiencing consequences from them. The same is true for those who cannot get through Dry January because they have cravings and addiction thinking.
The good news is that if you feel like you need more help than taking a break over Dry January can offer, there is a solution. That solution is usually a multi-angled approach that utilizes all types of means, methods, and modalities of recovery. This includes holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation, experiential therapies like art therapy, and especially psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). By connecting to therapies, you can begin to heal in the long term, rather than just for a month at a time. For example, utilizing CBT can be particularly helpful because it makes you an “active participant” in long-term recovery. It engages you in a process.
According to the peer-reviewed journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Consistent with the medical model of psychiatry, the overall goal of treatment is symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, and remission of the disorder. To achieve this goal, the patient becomes an active participant in a collaborative problem-solving process to test and challenge the validity of maladaptive cognitions and to modify maladaptive behavioral patterns… Although these strategies greatly emphasize cognitive factors, physiological, emotional, and behavioral components are also recognized for the role that they play in the maintenance of the disorder.” This is how you see long-term success.
Healing in the Long Term With The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. They go well beyond a one-month “break” (which, again, may be fine for some).
The iconic American author and philosopher William James famously said, “Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.” That is symbolic of what it means to recover for good, to finally have the opportunity to live your best life. Recovery is waiting. You can do this! We can help.
Many people would be surprised to hear all of the benefits that participating in Dry January has to offer. These are benefits such as boosting health, improving mood, and setting a positive tone for the year ahead. However, it is important to note that if you think you may have a problem with alcohol or substances, you may need more attention than Dry January can offer. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away.You don’t have to go through this process alone. To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
