{"id":2681,"date":"2022-12-15T08:18:50","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T16:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/?p=2681"},"modified":"2023-03-15T13:46:30","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T20:46:30","slug":"better-skin-and-more-money-a-derm-and-recovery-addiction-specialist-on-the-7-top-benefits-of-going-sober-for-dry-january","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/better-skin-and-more-money-a-derm-and-recovery-addiction-specialist-on-the-7-top-benefits-of-going-sober-for-dry-january\/","title":{"rendered":"Better skin and more money? A derm and recovery addiction specialist on the benefits of sobriety for ‘Dry January’ and beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Edited and updated January, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering a break from drinking (like ‘Dry January’ or ‘Damp January’) or just exploring alternative approaches to alcohol? As a dermatologist and addiction specialist tells it, the benefits of going zero-proof (hello, radiant skin!) will far outweigh the challenges (and there will be challenges).<\/p>\n\n\n

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01<\/div>\n
You could start feeling better within days<\/div>\n

\u201cMild drinkers may notice positive changes like higher energy levels, clearer skin, better sleep and weight loss,\u201d says Ashley Loeb Blassingame, co-founder of Lionrock<\/a> telehealth substance abuse counseling and certified alcohol\/drug counselor. But she cautions, \u201cIt\u2019s important to note that alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and even life threatening,” so individuals should be aware of the symptoms of withdrawal and reach out for professional help immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms\u00a0include anything from mild anxiety, tremors and gastrointestinal issues\u00a0that can arise within eight hours of your last drink\u00a0to the more severe like high body temperature, hallucination and seizures.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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02<\/div>\n
You\u2019ll find yourself in good company<\/div>\n

Sobering up has never been more socially supported. T<\/span>he zero<\/span>–<\/span>proof\u00a0<\/span>lifestyle movement<\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0<\/span>booming<\/span>, from apps<\/a> and podcasts<\/a> to beverage <\/span><\/span>brand<\/span>s that are stepping up with <\/span>alcohol-free<\/span>\u00a0l<\/span>ibations<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>While sobriety specialists don\u2019t see eye-to-eye on <\/span>zero-proof<\/span>\u00a0spirits,\u00a0<\/span>for some, it can help ease the challenges of going cold turkey, especially if alcohol is part of a nightly wind-down ritual.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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03<\/div>\n
You may inspire your friends<\/div>\n

Socializing is a major hurdle\u00a0<\/span>during sobriety, but\u00a0<\/span>Blassingame<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>says we can navigate that obstacle by seeing \u201cif a friend wants to jump into Dry January to hold each other accountable.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>At social outings,<\/span>\u00a0\u201c<\/span>M<\/span>erely saying, \u2018I\u2019m the designated driver\u2019 or \u2018I\u2019m doing\u00a0<\/span>D<\/span>ry<\/span>\u00a0January<\/span>\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>can be enough to help <\/span>squelch<\/span>\u00a0social pressure<\/span>s.” And maybe <\/span>even\u00a0<\/span>inspire your friends to do the same.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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04<\/div>\n
You\u2019ll get your youthful glow back<\/div>\n

True, a drink or two on a special occasion may have only a brief impact on your skin (hello, flushed cheeks after a couple of stems of red). But what alcohol does to your face over time<\/em> may be reason enough to take a short- or long-term break from the bottle.<\/p>\n

Board-certified dermatologist and integrated wellness expert Dr. Jen Haley<\/a> says, \u201c<\/span><\/span>A<\/span>lcohol can\u00a0<\/span>dehydrate your skin, cause red-hued skin and <\/span>broken blood vessels<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>and can\u00a0<\/span>worsen pre-existing conditions like psoriasis and rosacea.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Easing up on alcohol\u00a0<\/span>equals more radiant skin\u00a0<\/span>because then skin can stay <\/span>better hydrated.<\/span> \u201c<\/span>Some people may find that their skin conditions actually improve if they stop drinking for a month.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This occurs because alcohol acts as a diuretic<\/em>\u2014it forces the body to lose liquid at a far faster rate than normal. Because of this, dehydration may also lead to:<\/p>\n