The Real Sign You're Addicted to Alcohol Revealed by Britain's Leading Doctor Free and Easy Method to Kick the Booze
I had hoped to do Dry January this year, but I've already had a drink. Does this mean I have a problem? Dr Philippa Kaye answers: There's a possibility that someone who is unable to complete Dry January has an alcohol problem. But not for the reason you might think. Dry January, which involves abstaining from alcohol for the entire month, is an exceedingly popular initiative. In fact, around a third of British adults say they will attempt the challenge every year. However, according to surveys, only around a third of those who sign up to do Dry January actually complete it. This doesn't mean all these people have an alcohol problem. It's simply reflective of the fact that abstaining from drinking for a month, particularly in Britain's famously boozy culture, is a difficult feat for most.
In This Article:
Dry January and the CAGE Test: Why a Month of Abstinence Isn’t a Simple Signal
But, in some cases, it can be a cause for concern. The NHS uses a test, called the CAGE questionnaire, to assess whether patients may suffer with alcohol addiction. Only around a third of people who sign up for Dry January complete the month-long challenge The quiz contains four questions: 'Have you ever felt the need to cut down on drinking?'; 'Have people annoyed you by criticising your drinking?'; 'Have you ever felt guilty about drinking?'; 'Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady nerves or get rid of a hangover?' Anyone who answers 'yes' to two or more of these questions would normally be advised to seek help from a health professional. Someone who commits to doing Dry January and then fails would likely say that, yes, they have felt the need to cut down on alcohol and, also yes, they feel guilt about their drinking. GP, author and broadcaster Dr Philippa Kaye
Dry January Is Not a Cure All Here’s a Safer Way to Cut Down
However, all hope is not lost. In fact, many experts argue that Dry January is not a particularly effective measure for helping patients manage an alcohol problem. This is because it requires them to effectively go 'cold turkey', quitting suddenly, a radically harder task than simply focusing on drinking less. And, for those who drink a lot, it can be potentially very dangerous. This is because they may suffer withdrawal symptoms – known as delirium tremens – which include confusion, hallucinations, agitation, sweating, high blood pressure and even seizures. Instead, I tend to advise my patients who are worried about their alcohol consumption to download the NHS Drink Free Days app. The app, which is free, asks users to pledge a number of drink–free days each week – for example, three days off alcohol out of seven. Users then log every drink they have to show whether they have stuck to the pledge. The app also gives tips and practical advice to help resist drinking. The goal, for many, isn't to cut out alcohol completely – just cut down. There is real–world evidence that patients who use the Drink Free Days app are more likely to cut down on their alcohol consumption than those who don't. Of course, it only works when users are honest about their alcohol intake – there's no point lying to an app. Anyone who is seriously worried about their drinking should tell their GP. There are also support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery that can be incredibly helpful for people trying to quit booze
Tackling Dry Hands in Cold Weather A Doctor’s Practical Advice
The cold weather is making the skin on my hands red and cracked and incredibly painful. I try to keep them moisturised but nothing really helps. What can I do? Dr Philippa Kaye answers: When it comes to dry hands, the type of moisturiser patients use can make all the difference. This is a topic close to my heart. As someone who has to wash their hands many times a day, before and after examining patients, I often struggle with dry hands. The issue is typically caused by a lack of oil in the skin, which normally act as a natural form of moisturiser. The cold, frequent hand–washing, and antibacterial sanitiser are all known to strip this oil from the skin. Overtime, this can lead to tiny cracks forming, followed by redness, stinging, itching, swelling and sometimes even bleeding. Moisturisers are really the best proven treatment for this problem. However, there are so many of these products out there it can be hard to settle on the right one. The main thing is that they should be fragrance–free. Brands I often recommend include Epaderm, Zeroderm and Aveeno. How patients apply moisturiser is important. Using the creams once a day is unlikely to be enough. Instead, most patients with this issue need to be applying moisturiser multiple times a day. I'd recommend patients do this every time they wash their hands and before they go to bed. Many patients also don't use enough moisturiser. A general rule is that the skin should look shiny afterwards. It's important to protect the hands in this cold weather too. Wear warm gloves outside and cotton gloves underneath rubber ones when washing up the dishes or cleaning the house. Always avoid soaps containing fragrances. If these steps don't work then a GP may be able to prescribe a topical steroid cream to reduce skin inflammation. But this would almost always need to be used in combination with a moisturiser. Cracks in the skin can become infected, so patients should see their GP if they notice any pus, growing areas of red skin, severe pain or fever.
