Why people should consider Sober October, according to a doctor

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Even though the month is already more than half over, is it too late to try Sober October?

No, according to CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. I asked her about the benefits of cutting out—or just reducing—alcohol use. How much alcohol is considered excessive, for men and women? What are the signs of a problem with alcohol consumption? And if people want to reduce their alcohol consumption, how can Sober October help?

Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. Previously, she was Baltimore’s health commissioner.

CNN: How much alcohol is considered excessive from a health perspective?

Dr. Leana Wen: There are three issues to consider when answering this question.

The first is how much a person drinks regularly. Adults of legal drinking age should drink no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, according to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

These findings are based on research showing that the risk of health problems increases after these amounts. Higher amounts of alcohol consumed regularly are associated with higher risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease, various types of cancer and early death.

In the United States, about 178,000 people die from alcohol-related illnesses each year. Alcohol-associated liver disease is the leading cause of liver transplants.

The second question is whether the person consumes excessive alcohol. This behavioral pattern is defined, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as four or more drinks on one occasion for women and five or more drinks on one occasion for men. People who drink excessively are at greater risk of injuries, such as car accidents, falls, and drownings. Furthermore, a large amount of alcohol consumed at once puts more stress on (people’s) organs than if drinks are spaced out over time.

READ MORE: Alcohol: do you drink too much?

There is a third consideration, which is whether the individual has alcohol use disorder. This is the most common substance use disorder in the U.S., with nearly 29 million American adults meeting criteria for diagnosis.

There are several keys to diagnosing this condition. One is loss of control – for example, someone who cannot stop drinking once they start or cannot control how and when they drink.

Another is having difficulty fulfilling work, parenthood and other important obligations. Individuals may also experience physical symptoms when they stop drinking, such as nausea, sweating, and restlessness.

CNN: How can Sober October help people?

Wen: One way is to get people to evaluate how much alcohol they are actually drinking. Some people may be surprised by how much they drink over the course of a week. Others may be asked to assess their relationship with alcohol and the circumstances under which they drink.

Do they drink when they are depressed, anxious and lonely? Are they feeling shame or loss of control over the amount of alcohol they consume? Is the use of alcohol accompanied by other drugs? These are warning signs and people should seek additional help from their primary care provider.

CNN: Are there specific health benefits from reducing alcohol consumption for a month? Or do people need to commit to reducing alcohol consumption for years to see long-term effects?

Wen: Of course, it is best to reduce alcohol intake for a period longer than a month. There are some studies, however, that show that even a short period without alcohol can bring health benefits.

According to a study in the UK, more than 6 in 10 people reported better sleep and almost half lost weight after a month without alcohol. According to another study, carried out in the Netherlands, people who stopped drinking for just 28 days had a change in a blood test that measures liver inflammation. Other studies have found improvements in blood pressure and insulin sensitivity after a short period.

If people return to drinking large amounts of alcohol after the month of abstinence, these health benefits will likely disappear. But some people may find that they like how they feel when they stop or reduce their alcohol consumption and decide to continue drinking less in the future.

CNN: If someone finds that they can’t reduce their alcohol consumption, despite wanting to, what should they do?

Wen: This is a warning sign that they may have alcohol use disorder. People should contact their primary care provider or mental health professional. There are effective treatments, including three medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, along with psychotherapy and community support groups.

CNN: Who should try Sober October? And who shouldn’t?

Wen: Anyone who drinks alcohol can try Sober October. They may discover that they have a healthy relationship with alcohol. They may discover that there is a problem that they were not aware of before. They may also find that they have no problems, but feel better after drinking less and are happy with the money they are saving on alcohol.

People who experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking should seek medical assistance to help them stop. For these individuals, stopping suddenly can be dangerous.

CNN: What if someone doesn’t want to give up alcohol completely? Is there any benefit to trying “sober” October?

Wen: Yes. Individuals can assess their relationship with alcohol simply by being more aware of how much, when and why they drink alcohol. And they don’t need to stop completely, not even for a whole month, to experience some health benefits.

In that sense, they don’t need to try this just in October either. Campaigns like Sober October and Dry January help raise awareness about excessive alcohol use, but people interested in evaluating their alcohol consumption can stop or reduce it at any time of year.

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