A fun challenge for some, an impossible mission for others. Like every month of January for a few years now in France, many are required a month without alcohol after the excesses of the end-of-year celebrations. Doing the Dry January has many health benefits, such as weight loss or improved sleep. But for some, abstaining from drinking for a month is simply impossible. From there to assert that this reveals in these people a problem of addiction to alcohol? For Professor Amine Benyamina, head of department at Paul Brousse hospital in Villejuif & president of the French Federation of Addictology, there are above all two cases that are problematic.
Two scenarios in question
First of all, “those who drink a lot, who are physically and psychologically dependent”. The latter obviously have a problem with their alcohol consumption because “they lose control”, explains the specialist at the microphone of “Bienfait pour vous”. Drinking a lot therefore does not necessarily mean consuming every day. Concretely, a person who drinks only on weekends but in excess is also likely to have an addiction problem.
In addition to this first category of person, Amine Benyamina also highlights consumers “who have pegged the ritual of the small glass to the body, without having any problems (visible with alcohol)”. For the latter too, failing the Dry January must therefore make them wonder about their consumption. Therefore, a consultation is possible.
Signs to watch out for
More generally, one of the first signs that indicate a problem with alcohol, “it is when you have it in the head, when you anticipate the consumption, and the anxiety (of not drinking)”, supports Head of Service. A state of mind which is accompanied by “physical signs, such as tremors, difficulties in fulfilling your role at work, or even taking care of your children”.
As a reminder, the health authorities recommend “two glasses of alcohol maximum per day, and not every day”.