Health Hub

Having a Dry July has great health benefits. We've brought together a collection of articles that could help you with your Dry July.


Ten reasons some of us should cut back on alcohol

By Steve Allsop on

Some of us seriously underestimate how much we drink, so perhaps the first step to deciding if we need to cut back is to consider how many standard drinks are in that glass of wine, beer or spirit. A miscalculation increases the risk of drinking outside the low risk guidelines. Pouring your own drinks, topping up a glass before it’s finished, or not paying attention to your consumption influences whether you drink more than intended.

Here are some reasons why you might think about cutting down on drinking.

Here are some reasons why you might think about cutting down on drinking.

1. Improving your health

Reducing alcohol means you might find it easier to manage your weight. Some drinks have as many calories as high fat foods.

In one large English study, alcohol represented a large proportion of all calories consumed (over 25% for men and nearly 20% for women) on the heaviest drinking day - and these are calories with little or no nutritional value. Not surprisingly, there was a link with obesity, but the relationship is complex. Some heavy drinkers do not eat well, partly contributing to the paradoxical observation that some heavy drinkers are underweight rather than overweight.

Health problems such as liver disease, brain injury, cancer and heart problems are strongly linked to drinking alcohol, and the more you drink the greater the risk. People with pre-existing mental and physical health vulnerabilities are more at risk.


2. Improving your mood and sleep

Excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of mental and physical health problems. Depression and anxiety are more common after heavy drinking and people who drink heavily have worse mental health outcomes.

If you have trouble sleeping, cutting back on alcohol might help. You might fall asleep more quickly after drinking, but heavy drinking can result in poor quality sleep, meaning worse hangover effects.

3. Improving your relationships 

Alcohol-affected choices are not always the best ones - you might think you’re the life of the party, but others may be less impressed.

Have you seen this before? - “WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe ex-lovers are really dying for you to telephone them at four in the morning.” 

But even more serious relationship problems can be related to alcohol. One recent Australian report found approximately a third of all intimate partner violence has a link to alcohol. 

If drinking is causing friction with friends, partners or family members, cutting back can make a dramatic difference.

4. Saving money

Australian households on average spend the same amount on alcohol as they do on domestic fuel and power. Drink less and you’ll make a dent on the nearly A$2000 average annual drink bill.

5. Protecting your baby’s well-being

If you are thinking about pregnancy or you are pregnant, the safest option is not to drink. Drinking before breastfeeding is not a safe option because some of your alcohol will find its way into the breast milk. The more you drink, the greater the risk to your baby’s wellbeing.

Some evidence is now suggesting fathers should think about their drinking too. There is emerging evidence alcohol consumption by the father can have an impact on pregnancy health, on maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, on fetal outcomes, and on infant health outcomes. But we need more evidence about what level of drinking is associated with the level of risk.

6. Avoiding dependency (if there’s a family history)

You should consider cutting back your drinking if there is a close family member who has a history of dependence. This increases your own risk of becoming alcohol dependent.

7. Interactions with other drugs

If you use other drugs, including medications or illicit drugs, you significantly increase risk to your health by drinking alcohol. For example, alcohol can combine with depressant drugs such as those used to treat pain to increase the risk of impaired driving and sometimes the risk of overdose. It’s important to be aware of this increased risk and to seek professional advice, for example from an addiction specialist or your GP.

8. Avoiding alcohol-related injuries in the young

Young people need to think about their drinking. They are especially at risk of alcohol-related injuries. Evidence identifies how adolescent alcohol use can disrupt brain development, which can affect capacity to learn, make good decisions and do well at school.

9. Avoiding alcohol-related health conditions in the old

As you age you are more likely to experience health conditions that are exacerbated by alcohol use, and some medications should not be combined with drinking.

Changes in your body composition can mean you end up more affected by alcohol, and older people are more at risk of alcohol related falls and injury.

10. Avoiding intoxication, poor behaviour and risk taking 

Intoxication can result in a range of injuries associated with the workplace, driving and violence. If you put yourself and others at risk because of intoxication, you can reduce that risk by drinking less, drinking slower and only with or after food. Or consider if drinking is appropriate at all in these circumstances.

It’s important to think not just about how much you drink. There are some situations that increase the risks. If you are operating machinery, swimming, driving or supervising children, the risks increase dramatically, even with small amounts of alcohol. And not just when you’re drinking - you might be impaired when you are hungover.

If you do drink, know how much you are drinking, and what the risks are – enjoy yourself but treat alcohol with respect. Small changes can make a big difference to your quality of life without denting your social life. But if alcohol is taking a central role in your life, seek help – it can make a difference.


Steve Allsop, Professor, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University and Tina Lam, Research Fellow at the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Go Dry This July

Go Dry this July and raise funds for people affected by cancer. This is why we Dry July.

Sign Up Now

AN EXTRA BENEFIT OF YOUR SOBRIETY IS THE ENERGY TO COMPLETE A PAINT PROJECT

By Inspirations Paint on

Paint projects take motivation to start but energy to finish. A known benefit of giving up alcohol for a month is an increase in energy levels, so what better way to channel that than into a paint project!

We have put together five projects you could start and finish this DIY Dry July.

1. How to Fix a Bad Paint Job

A bad paint job comes in many forms; uneven paint colour, drips, bubbles, poor sheen uniformity – you get the picture. One we often see is peeling or flaking paint. There are many reasons paint could be peeling or flaking but before it can be fixed, we need to understand the cause of the defect. One such cause can be the incorrect paint used on the existing surface, most commonly painting a water-based product over an oil-based...

Read more…

What Happens To Your Body When You Give Up Alcohol For One Month

By Chloe Mcleod on

We all love to indulge in alcohol every now and then, but a night out with friends brings social pressures in regards to frequent drinking. It can feel impossible to dodge having a drink when you want to be part of the group vibe - and before you know it, you’re waking up with a dry mouth and a nasty hangover again.

Dry July is a great way to reassess your relationship with alcohol consumption and see the health benefits of taking a month off. If you’re signing up to raise money, you’ll also be helping people with cancer. 

Here are a few ways the human body can benefit from abstaining from alcohol for a whole month.

#1 Improvements to mental health

Alcohol may seem like a mood elevator when you’re dancing and having a great time...

Read more…

Preparing for your Dry July

By Dry July Foundation on

You’re doing something amazing – improving your own health, and helping to change the lives of people affected by cancer. We're with you every step of the way for your Dry July, so don't be daunted by taking some time off the booze! 

Plus, remember the funds you raise will improve the comfort and wellbeing of people affected by cancer.

Here are our top tips to help you prepare and stay dry this July:

In preparation:

  • In June try to slow down your alcohol intake to half of what you would normally consume.
  • Plan your social calendar. Offer to be the Designated Dryver on a night out, or if you have an event that you really want to drink at, ask someone to buy you a Golden Ticket. It will give you a night off the wagon, while also raising...
Read more…