"Alcoholism runs in my family. I've never thought I had a problem, but occasionally, you need to check in with yourself and take a step back. My mother passed away when she was fifty-seven. She couldn't care for herself the way she needed to—to do the hard things to make her life and her health better. That was hard to witness as a young child."
"I recently got tested for the Alzheimer's gene, as it runs in my family, and I was experiencing midlife brain fog that I couldn't kick. I found out that I carry one copy of the APOE gene, which puts me at 25% higher risk for cognitive decline! That's when my brain health became even more important to me."
"Watching my reward system scramble for that dopamine hit was fascinating and kind of alarming. Proof that these patterns are more addictive than we think. And that once sugar is in your system, you want more. They say sugar is as or more addictive than cocaine. Now I understand."
A personal account of undertaking Dry January reveals motivations extending beyond typical health goals. Family history of alcoholism and witnessing a parent's health struggles prompted self-reflection about personal habits. After genetic testing revealed carrying one copy of the APOE gene, increasing cognitive decline risk by 25%, brain health became a priority. The experience highlighted how an all-or-nothing approach to abstinence feels more sustainable than moderation. During the month, unexpected sugar cravings emerged, revealing the addictive nature of reward systems and dopamine-seeking behavior. The individual discovered that eliminating alcohol triggered compensatory cravings for sweets, demonstrating how deeply ingrained these patterns are.
Read at Tiny Buddha
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