Originally Published: January 15, 2025 5:55 AM
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Steve Carleton, addiction specialist and Chief Clinical Officer at Porch Light Health, discusses the benefits of Dry January for mental health and wellness for residents of El Paso, Texas.
EL PASO, TX (KVIA) – As we’re halfway through January, many El Pasoans are taking a break from drinking alcohol. “Dry January” is one of the most common New Year resolutions, where those participating give up drinking for the month. But experts say it’s never too late to start and even small changes can make a big difference for your health.
ABC-7 spoke to Steve Carleton, a certified addiction specialist with Porch Light Health who says a recent study reveals that drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing at least seven types of cancer, including mouth, throat, and liver cancer.
“We know that alcohol is not great for our health, right? Should everybody stop in response to that? No, I’m not suggesting that,” emphasized Carleton. ”But I think when people have awareness, that awareness can bring choice and give people time to pause to think about their relationship with alcohol.”
Carleton says cutting back on alcohol, even temporarily, can improve sleep quality, focus, and help manage weight loss. He also emphasizes that cutting back does not have to be all or nothing. “We know that beer and wine have less alcohol by volume than than liquor,” he said. “So, switching from liquor to beer or wine can be a quick step to reduce alcohol consumption.”
“It’s really good to have connections and other people that can support you in those goals with substance use,” said Carleton. “If you have somebody that’s willing to do dry January with you, or have somebody that’s willing to help you find a good professional help, that’s a win.”
The benefits of Dry January extend beyond physical health. Experts say alcohol often masks underlying issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
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