What is a dry January?

SPIEGEL: Mr. Seitz, when Dry January is to the body after the usually very alcohol-rich December recover. Anyone who participates, takes to drink the whole January, not a drop of alcohol. What’s the point?

Seitz: This can have many positive effects. For each test in the self test, if he considers it at all, to drink for a month, nothing. Who don’t mind, you can be reassured: The also has no alcohol problem. But there are some people whom it is extremely hard to totally abstain from alcohol, even if it is only for a while.

MIRROR: Is it the same if you exceptions? If you do not want to be without, for example, on the beer with friends?

Seitz: The question is: Why can you not do without? Of course, it is not bad to drink a beer with friends. But most of the time there’s not a beer. These so-called social drinkers often underestimate the consequences of their alcohol consumption. Those who drink alcohol regularly, skin has a much higher risk for certain diseases such as gastric mucosal inflammation, high blood pressure or a verfettete liver. The Organ most sensitive to alcohol is a gland the female breast. The least know. In women the risk for breast cancer increases.

MIRROR: And already by a month of abstinence will improve all of that?

Seitz: If you a month did not drink alcohol, they will be positive changes in the notice. You will feel better overall and sleep better. Your organs are relieved, the liver will degrease and smaller. Also, the stomach lining will relax the skin, because less stomach acid is produced. The cholesterol values will improve, the uric acid will go down. The effects are measurable and noticeable. Often, these people drink then in the months that have less.

MIRROR: it is easier, the January keep going, if you know: In February, may I again?

Seitz: psychologically, there’s something to it. But then the thoughts are back on the alcohol: when can I have a drink finally? For example I like chocolate very much. If I would now, to eat a month of no chocolate, I don’t think yet about it all the time when I finally get to again.

MIRROR: In the Christmas season, you would quite often say “no”.

Seitz: well, That’s true. And many would probably react disappointed when I your chocolate offer, exclusive location. When alcohol is similar.

MIRROR: The beer, the invitation to the dinner, the Toast to the carriage, or a really good Party – there are quite a few occasions, alcohol to drink. We are all social drinkers?

Seitz: alcohol is a social lubricant, and that is a good thing. Imagine your Christmas party without alcohol.

MIRROR: Unthinkable.

Seitz: Exactly. Probably all were a little uptight and would rather sit around and talk about work. The want to Yes no. A glass of wine loosens inhibitions and makes things a lot easier, that’s per se bad. But unfortunately, a Celebration with alcohol degenerates, in turn, very quickly. The border is narrow.

MIRROR: There is Yes in almost every circle of friends, this is a Person who is always a little over-the-top beats. How can I appeal to if I’m Worried?

Seitz: This is very difficult. If you have serious Concerns about a friend, you should address the. It is important to make it clear to him that he is damaging his health in the long run massively. Usually one does not approach these people, however, you don’t see the Problem, or trivialise it.

MIRROR: How much alcohol would be OK?

Seitz: women can be relatively harmless 125 milliliters of wine or a small beer per day to drink. For men double the amount: 250 milliliters of wine or half a Liter of beer is. This is the rule of thumb. The changes, however, in the case of the at-risk groups: Obese, people with liver disease, or a disorder of the fat metabolism, alcohol is particularly dangerous. Smokers who drink alcohol have a significantly higher risk for cancer of the mouth and pharynx or in the esophagus. In total, there are around 200 diseases which are initiated due to alcohol or reinforced. Also in connection with certain medicines, alcohol can be very damaging, with Acetaminophen, for example.

MIRROR: Here you need to but no later than the day after that against the headaches.

Seitz: That’s unfortunately a widespread misconception. Just Paracetamol is a substance that is dangerous if you drink alcohol frequently. Simply put, when it comes to alcohol, a specific enzyme removal is enabled, this also ensures that some drugs degrade faster. If Paracetamol is reduced too quickly, the result is a poison. I know of some cases where the liver failure coma has led to this neuro-toxic metabolic products that are normally filtered by the liver, directly to the brain. It runs in almost all cases, fatal.

MIRROR: And Aspirin?

Seitz: There’s this rumor that a cat gets when you before go to sleep a Aspirin stepping in. This is very harmful, because Aspirin damages the gastric mucosa is massively – in the same way as alcohol. So this is a double burden, from which the body can recover during the Dry January. It is best to motivate the entire circle of friends to Join in. If you all drink anything, there is no social pressure there.