MAINE, Maine — For a lot of people, a new year means new resolutions. Many are trying the popular trend of "Dry January," an alcohol-free month to kickstart the year on a healthier note.
"We take pride in the fact that we can take a month off and not have a dependence on something to make us feel better," Dr. Christopher Kleeman from Northern Light Mercy Hospital said.
Kleeman, a gastroenterologist and physician, said this is a time for people to re-examine their relationship with alcohol, namely how much you typically drink and what its effects on you. He said even small amounts of alcohol on a regular basis can have health risks.
Benefits to stopping alcohol for a period of time can include the following: better sleep, better energy, healthier well-being, weight loss, and it helps you think about how much you actually drink alcohol to see how dependent you could be to it.
"People with advanced liver disease see a dramatic improvement after they've quit. It can take up to six to nine months for the liver to regenerate, but in general the liver will regenerate and improve after you stop drinking alcohol," he said. "There is a time and a place for alcohol. If you are drinking excessively or on a regular basis you should examine that habit."
Kleeman said he has personally seen an increase in some of his own patients developing cirrhosis.
"I think during COVID we saw a lot of patients being home more and drinking more, so the rates of alcohol abuse went up," he said. "People would often present to the emergency room intoxicated or having neglected other parts of their health because of their dependence to alcohol, and complications from alcohol abuse have also increased."
Kleeman also said he has observed an increase in patients diagnosed with certain cancers that are linked to drinking alcohol.
"Especially breast cancer in women, cancer of the upper GI (gastroenterology) track, the larynx, the esophagus, and even the colon, so quitting alcohol can have a lot of health benefits," Kleeman expressed. "Heavy alcohol use can lead to the development of cirrhosis, where the liver stops functioning."
Steven Corman opened Vena's Fizz House in 2013 with one goal in mind.
"It's different environment where people can go that isn't coffee, tea, smoothies, fruit juices that were health ... so we created a mocktail bar," the co-owner of Vena's said.
That once mocktail bar has since transformed into this space where they make and ship their most popular pre-made mocktail recipes to every corner of the country.
"It's blackberries, oranges, their ginger powder, and organic cane and organic honey," Corman said as he stirred a mocktail.
"I think a lot of people find that a dry January leads to a dry February, March, and ultimately an awareness that perhaps they were drinking too much during the holidays or in years past and they want to make a positive change for their health," Kleeman said.
If you are looking to try some of the creative mocktail mixes from Vena's Fizz House, Click here if you are interested in purchasing a non-alcoholic pre-made mix drink from them.