• Dry January is attracting more and more French people, who give up alcohol during the first month of the year.

  • The benefits of a reduction in consumption are multiple: better sleep, better health, better mood and... a wallet saved.

  • The Dry January is over this Wednesday.

    But for those who would like to continue their efforts,

    20 Minutes

    gives you, with the help of addictologist and preventologist Stéphanie Ladel, the seven commandments to follow.

It's time to take stock.

At the beginning of January, a third of French people were thinking of taking part in “Dry January”, this challenge consisting in not drinking alcohol for 31 days.

A way to rest your body after the abuse of the holidays for some, but also to test yourself and question your relationship with alcohol for others.

There are those who abandoned the idea from the first day(s), like a vulgar resolution.

Others, more motivated, managed to go all the way.

What to give ideas for the after?

Some, on social networks, want to take advantage of this momentum to reduce their consumption the rest of the year, or even stop completely.

To help them,

20 Minutes

gives you the seven commandments to follow, established with the help of Stéphanie Ladel, addiction specialist and prevention specialist.

Alcohol, you won't take home

It may seem obvious, but coming across a bottle of wine in the kitchen or coming face to face with a beer in the fridge is incongruous when you want to cut down or stop drinking.

The mere presence of a “forbidden” beverage can remind you of its existence and awaken a craving, especially after the feeling of work accomplished in January.

You might as well make your life easier by sparing yourself the temptations, which are already in sufficient number on the outside.

Anticipate the blows, you will know

To avoid being tempted by “a small glass”, it is better to anticipate.

"It's often when you don't have anything good or ready at home that you order a pizza", summarizes Stéphanie Ladel.

She therefore advises to always have a “pleasure drink” ready at hand, such as a mocktail, a soft drink or a juice.

Same thing when traveling with friends.

Unless you are sure to find what you are looking for on the spot, it is better to bring your drink.

Things can get tricky when going outdoors.

Also, the addictologist recommends preparing them in advance: “The best thing is to identify bars and restaurants and convince your friends to go to places where there is alcohol-free.

An evening in a beer bar will probably be too complicated…”


In public, do not drink, you will assume

For Stéphanie Ladel, this is "probably the most important point" in the quest for sobriety.

There are many tips for not drinking alcohol in public without being spotted or criticized.

But for the specialist, nothing beats assuming her choice.

“In a way, it makes it easier to deal with teasing, but also to ask for support from those around you.

If only by non-proposal.

»

In addition, this decision affects the image of the person vis-à-vis others.

Because she will want to show that she keeps her word and assumes her choices, she will be more solid in the face of temptation.

Sober up the haters, you'll learn

"You don't know how to have fun", "Have a little drink, it won't kill you", "It's not alcohol, it's wine"... Even the greatest conviction will not prevent not the more or less heavy incentives to break your determination.

Acolytes, you will find

Unity is strength.

And in the face of all the obstacles that stand in your way, the help of one or more fellow travelers can be of great help.

Whether it's with his or her partner, best friend or even a colleague... launching a group makes the challenge easier.

“It allows us to discuss, to debrief, to tell each other about the difficulties.

The ideal is even to start in a group of friends, to create an environment even more conducive to the distance from alcohol.

»

To counter the attempts, it is better to deploy a real strategy.

“You have to imagine yourself there and be prepared for comments to know how to react,” suggests Stéphanie Ladel.

Thus, two or three well-felt repartee could discourage the belligerents.

One of the most dreadful remains to send the most insistent back to their situation by asking them why they can't have fun without alcohol.

"It is imperative to break this idea that alcohol is festive or cultural", insists the addictologist.

To put too much pressure on yourself, you will avoid

One of the risks, when you want to reduce or stop your alcohol consumption, is to put too much pressure on yourself, and to impose too ambitious objectives.

It's the best way to tell yourself that you won't make it and to crack up: “Few people are capable of 'hyper self-discipline'”.

Also the addictologist advises to set a limit in time, while considering this resolution in a sustainable way.

The goal is not only to “hold out” until a set date, but also to get used to another way of consuming.

In the same way, a gap is not necessarily to be seen as a failure, but as a margin of progress.

Of the advantages to be drawn from it, you will think

A challenge like this is often perceived as a priesthood.

However, this is forgetting that alcohol is a toxic molecule that attacks our body.

Also, reducing or stopping consumption has many advantages: better sleep, better health (prevention of cancer, cardiovascular risks), better skin, weight loss and better sportsmanship.

Likewise, alcohol is a powerful depressant.

If a few drinks disinhibit, its long-term consumption has a very harmful effect on mood and self-esteem.

And if these arguments are not enough, “imagine the effect it has on your wallet!

“Suggests Stéphanie Ladel.

“Patience, however”, tempers the addictologist,

Economy

Alcohol: The very limited impact of Dry January on consumption in bars

Health

Dry January: We give you some tips for dealing with the big dorks who want to make you drink

  • Company

  • Alcohol

  • Dry January

  • Consumption

  • Addiction