Limiting alcohol for a healthy new year
By Ruth Fugee, RN — Parish Health Ministry
Have you just finished celebrating this holiday season with friends, family, and wine or cocktails? With new studies on alcohol consumption available, nearly half of Americans are trying to cut back, according to a 2025 Gallup poll. Are you one of them? Consider these questions:
The CAGE Questionnaire used by clinicians asks, “Have you tried, unsuccessfully, to limit your drinking?” The resolution for a Dry January may be useful to you.
Are there times when you lose track how much alcohol you are drinking? Be mindful of the driving forces in these circumstances.
In these circumstances, are you relying on alcohol as a crutch? Is it stress, maybe lack of social abilities? Can you replace alcohol as a solution?
Do you feel guilty? If your friends and family are noticing an upward trend in your drinking, are you defensive?
You can change. Consider AA, the leading recovery method. The Phoenix focuses on positive activities, Smart Recovery focuses on independent change. Refuge Recovery is a systems approach. If your first choice doesn’t help, experts advise you to keep trying new ones.
Contact Ruth at ruth.fugee@gmail.com.
