Dry January: What You Need to Know
Dry January is a movement that happens all over the country uniting people who want to commit to 31 days of total sobriety — no alcohol at all for any reason. For many, this is done in response to a month or more of overindulgence over the holidays, a month-long period dedicated to eating healthfully and mentally detoxing as well.
But for those who are unable to stay sober for the 31-days and/or who feel unexpectedly agitated and uncomfortable, Dry January is a major red flag that alcohol has reached the status of a disorder and that some form of therapeutic intervention is the best path forward.
Alcohol Use vs. Alcohol Abuse
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines moderate drinking, or alcohol use, as no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, not to exceed seven or 14 drinks in a week, respectively. Essentially, anyone who drinks more than this amount either across a week or in one sitting is taking risks and defined as “abusing” alcohol.
Both binge drinking and heavy drinking are defined as alcohol abuse. Binge drinking occurs with alcohol intake that increases the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 g/dL. This usually happens after drinking four or five drinks in a two-hour period. Heavy drinking occurs any time someone drinks more than the definition of “moderate” drinking, ingesting more than one or two drinks a day on a regular basis.
Alcohol Abuse vs. Alcoholism
Essentially, alcohol abuse is too much alcohol — anything that causes dangerously lowered inhibitions or risk-taking behaviors, or contributes to negative consequences for the drinker or the people around them. Alcoholism happens when the person is unable to stop drinking despite the buildup of these consequences due to cravings and/or withdrawal symptoms.
Are You in Need of Treatment?
Do people close to you express concern about your level of drinking? Have you lost a job or a relationship, or had legal problems due to choices made under the influence? Do you drive after drinking? Have you tried to stop drinking but only been able to maintain sobriety or moderate drinking behaviors for brief periods? It may be time to consider your options in treatment.
When You Can’t Stay Sober
If you are unable to stay sober for any length of time, our First Responder Lifeline Program at American Addiction Centers can help. For firefighters and other first responders, we offer an intensive and comprehensive treatment plan that includes:
· An evaluation to identify trauma-related disorders like PTSD
· First-responder focused treatment plans to address addiction and/or PTSD
· Therapists and substance abuse treatment professionals who are trained to work with first responders
· EAP/MAP interaction
· The option to include PTSD-focused therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
· Family support and therapy groups
· Long-term aftercare support and alumni groups
· Reintegration assistance
How can we help you start strong in 2018? Contact us at (888) 731-FIRE (3473) today and learn more about our First Responder Lifeline Program now.
