How a Sober Month Like Dry January May Improve Health

There are many “dry” challenges throughout the year, like Dry January and Sober October. Some people find that not drinking for a full month helps reset their habits, and it also comes with many health benefits.

If you have alcohol use disorder, it’s not recommended to participate in sober challenges. Alcohol withdrawal from quitting cold turkey could be life threatening. Instead, seek professional help.

If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to learn about resources in your area.

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Written by:

Brittany Doohan

Brittany Doohan was the Content Director at HealthiNation and is currently the Editorial Director at Medscape. Through her work with Medscape, she won a Silver Telly Award in May 2022 for "Sleepless Nation: A Public Health Epidemic — Episode 2: A Decade Without a Diagnosis." She has worked in health journalism and video production for more than 8 years, and loves the challenge of explaining complex topics in an easy-to-understand and creative way.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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