The Lozère committee of Addictions France encourages people to take up the January challenge and take stock of their alcohol consumption

Le comité lozérien d'Addictions France vante les bénéfices d'un mois sans alcool. Midi Libre – Célian Guignard

Dry January, which involves not drinking a drop of alcohol for 31 days, officially began on January 1, 2024. But there's still time to jump on the bandwagon.

Like tobacco, in November, alcohol also has its “free” month. And it has already started. Indeed, since January 1, 2024, "Dry January", also called the January Challenge, has officially been launched. He is – rest assured – never too late to jump on the bandwagon. The Lozère committee of Addictions France even encourages you to try it.

"The idea is to become aware of the routine of alcohol consumption and its negative consequences on health, the wallet, the sleep… insists Franck Laflénie, the director of the association. Five million French people experience difficulties with alcohol. In Lozère, it is the leading cause of consultation at the Addiction Care, Support and Prevention Center (Csapa)."

An application to motivate yourself

There are therefore many reasons to take a step back from your consumption. Since 2013, the effects of "Dry January" are evaluated. "They are beneficial for the skin, continues Franck Laflénie. We sleep better. We are less aggressive. This gives extra energy for other activities. We lose weight. And, psychologically, it makes you proud. We realize that often the reasons for drinking are superfluous."

The January Challenge is obviously based on volunteering. His only reward is other than the pleasure of having achieved it. “We challenge ourselves, insists Anne-Sophie Perrin, president of the Lozère committee of Addictions France. This gives the necessary impetus to get started." To give yourself courage and feel supported, a "Try January" (Essaye Janvier, Editor’s note) was even launched and downloaded 15,000 times in 2022. 

Whether or not you decide to participate in "Dry January", Addictions France reminds that'it is advisable not to drink more than two units of alcohol daily and to be careful not to consume it every day. 

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