Trying a Dry January
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/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2022

Trying a Dry January

The inclination to abstain from alcohol during the month of January isn’t new. It was first recorded in 1942, when the Finnish government launched the “Sober January” campaign. In the 2012, a British organization called Alcohol Concern did the same. They called it “Dry January.” The idea has persisted, because it offers many unexpected health benefits. What benefits could you realize by discontinuing alcohol for the month? Here are a few:

Physical health benefits. Metabolizing alcohol is hard on the body, especially the liver and digestive system. Just a short while after taking an alcohol break, you are likely to notice several health benefits, including improved blood sugar levels and decreased blood pressure. Over time, non-drinkers will experience decreased fat accumulations in the liver. In addition, non-drinkers often experience improved mental clarity and greater ability to fight infections. 

Weight loss. Most alcoholic beverages are loaded with calories. At the same time, they offer little nutritional benefit. Skipping alcohol alone could make a powerful difference when trying to lose weight. Alcohol also makes it more difficult to regulate our appetite and what we consume. Better eating habits acquired through sobriety could relate to another weight loss boost.  

Mental health benefits. People often associate alcohol with relaxation. For this reason, many people use alcohol to cope with anxiety and other uncomfortable feelings. When the alcohol wears off, the anxious feelings can seem even worse. A cycle of self-medicating with alcohol can lead to dependence. Learning authentic coping strategies and getting help for mental conditions, rather than masking them, can dramatically improve your life.

Financial savings. Whether you purchase alcohol to drink at home or go out for drinks, the cost of alcohol adds up. Trying a dry January will put a little money back in your pocket. Who couldn’t use that?

Increased awareness. If you drink alcohol regularly, you might not be entirely aware of its affect on your life. Abstaining for a month provides you an opportunity to reset your relationship with alcohol and realize just how much you had been drinking.

If you currently drink alcohol and you would like to experience the benefits of being sober, I encourage you to try a dry January. The positive effects could last a lifetime. According to a survey of 900 Dry January participants in August 2014, 72% had kept harmful drinking episodes down, and 4% had not resumed drinking alcohol.

Kim Fodor, MD, is an internal medicine physician at SVMC Internal Medicine, part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and Southwestern Vermont Health Care in Bennington.

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Introducing Dr. Amy Freeth

Amy E. Freeth, MD, resumed endocrinology services at SVMC in March 2020. The practice, known as SVMC Endocrinology, is a part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) and Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). It replaces the Bennington Osteoporosis Center, where Dr. David Gorson had provided similar services to the community until his retirement in 2019.

How do you describe endocrinology to people who don’t know what it is? The endocrine system is made up of glands that make hormones. These hormones are chemical messengers that travel via the bloodstream to communicate with the cells and organs of the body. Hormones are important for growth, development, mood, metabolism, and reproduction. These glands include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, testes, and ovaries.

Endocrinology is a practice of medicine that specializes in disorders of these systems. Disorders most commonly are related to underactive or overactive function of these glands and require replacement of the hormone or specific treatments such as medications, ablation, or surgery.

Since hormones function in feedback loops and are part of a larger complex functional system that exists in flow with the human body, replacement hormones or treatment of endocrine disorders can be challenging and involve changes to our lifestyles that support the optimal functioning of the body.

What diagnoses are most common among the patients you treat?  Pituitary tumors, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing’s disease, primary hyperaldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, obesity, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

What sorts of treatments do you offer? I offer comprehensive consultation and management of endocrine disorders. I also interpret testing and make treatment plans for endocrine disorders. I also provide interpretation of bone density reports and perform fine needle aspiration biopsies in collaboration with Radiology Associates of Bennington. Technology is increasingly becoming more important in the management of diabetes. Technology includes glucose meters, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitoring (sensors). I work with certified diabetes educators to create a team approach to diabetes management. As we develop this new department, we are looking for innovative ways to help people regain and optimize their health. I have training in nutrition counseling and health coaching to help people find their path to good health.

Why is it important for patients who need an endocrinologist see them regularly? Your endocrinologist is part of your health team and has experience and a deep understanding of what is happening within your body to help assess, guide, and co-manage your disorder. There is testing that may need to be done to make sure you are living with optimal hormonal balance. Allowing hormones to run too low or too high can have lasting adverse effects on the body leading to other disease or imbalances.

How do you help protect patients who need to come into the office from infections, like COVID-19? At this time, I am seeing patients via telemedicine and phone visits. This week we are starting to see a portion of our patients in the clinic. Patients can register on the phone and wait in their car until the room is ready. Patients will be screened for fever and should wear a mask. Staff will wear proper protective equipment and follow guidelines for handwashing and cleaning of the rooms.

Since many patients who will likely want to come to the endocrinology clinic will be members of high-risk populations (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and the elderly), patients will have a choice of the type of visit they have.

Dr. Freeth sees patients 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday in Suite 307 of the Medical Office Building located at 140 Hospital Drive in Bennington. For an appointment, call 802-447-4555. The schedule will expand to additional days as needed.

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