LANSING, Mich. (Wilkes) – Since the pandemic, the prevalence of alcoholism has risen due to quarantine.
Alcohol sales rose 2.9% in the first year of the pandemic. Largest annual increase in more than 50 years.
January 31st is the last day of the month, which means anyone who participated in January’s dry trend can toast tomorrow’s success.
According to FoodDive.com, 15 percent of people this year said they would give up alcohol within a month.
Cutting down on alcohol has many benefits. The timing is good because a local hospital said it had seen an increase in patients with liver problems due to alcohol.
Studies show that quitting alcohol can help you lose weight, sleep better, improve your mood, and reduce liver fat and blood sugar.
Dr Iftiker Ahmad, gastroenterologist at Sparrow Hospital, said alcohol affects every organ in your body. “Recently what we’ve seen is an increasing number of young people between the ages of 29 and 39 who say they have advanced liver disease from alcohol.”
Dr Ahmed also said Sparrow Hospital sees more women than men with end-stage liver disease from alcohol. While both figures are increasing, Dr Ahmed said that while it is true that alcohol affects women less than men, no matter the dose, drinking can have extreme consequences.
Alcohol doesn’t just affect your body, it can affect your mindset, relationships, safety and even your job.
A Lansing woman said she has struggled with alcohol for years and is now volunteering with an Alcoholics Rehabilitation organization in Lansing.
“I feel very fortunate to be recovering at this time in history,” said Alyssa Turcsak, a volunteer administrator for Sober in Lansing. “Because there’s more choice in terms of non-alcoholic beverages, interesting non-alcoholic beverages, and people who don’t drink are really becoming more normal.”
Non-alcoholic beverage options have increased, Turcsak said, due to the trend to reduce alcohol consumption, whether for a month or longer.
With Sober in Lansing, Turcsak was able to find more non-alcoholic options.
You can find non-alcoholic beverages at Horrocks Farmers Market, Foods For Living, Joes On Jolly, Rooted Socialite, and elsewhere in your area.
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