The Livelong Podcast
Is there actually a reason for doing Dry January?
This week on the Livelong Podcast, neuropsychologist Dr. Amber Deckard, the Director of Neuropsychological and Psychological Services at Caron, joins us for a science-backed conversation about alcohol, brain health, and the infamous Dry January challenge (hint: the reason to do it is not for moral purity or deprivation).
In this conversation, Dr. Deckard reframes alcohol as neither “good” nor “bad,” but as data. A 30-day break can be a useful self-experiment to reveal how it affects your sleep, mood, motivation, dopamine, and long-term cognitive health. Like Ross in the sitcom Friends, you can only understand how alcohol affects you when you are ‘on a break’.
We explore:
Why alcohol is always a toxin—but not always a life sentence
How drinking can “borrow” dopamine and calm from tomorrow
The surprising link between alcohol, low mood, and “dopamine depletion.”
What 30 alcohol-free days actually do for neuroplasticity and brain repair
How to reintroduce alcohol consciously (or decide not to) using your own data
If you’re still wondering whether that glass of wine is helping you relax, this episode offers clarity without shame, rules, or fear.
Dry January isn’t about restriction. It’s about giving your brain a break—and learning who you are without the interference.
Additional References
Alcohol & Dopamine / Brain Reward System
Alcoholism and the dopaminergic system: a review — Molecular evidence that alcohol affects dopamine pathways and dopaminergic tone.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12893451/Ethanol directly excites dopaminergic reward neurons — Classic study showing ethanol increases dopamine release in the mesolimbic system.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10591603/Dopamine transporter binding increases after alcohol abstinence — Heavy drinking reduces dopamine transporter binding, which begins to rebound after ~4 weeks of abstinence.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10208452/
Abstinence / Recovery Effects
Neuroplasticity and Predictors of Alcohol Recovery — Reviews how chronic alcohol use alters brain circuits and why maintaining abstinence is neurobiologically important.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4476600/
General Alcohol & Brain Impact
Alcohol and the Brain: An Overview — NIAAA summary on how alcohol affects brain structure and function.
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/alcohol-and-brain-overviewNeuroscience of Addiction & Recovery — Core resource on how alcohol affects brain circuitry and the recovery process.
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/neuroscience-brain-addiction-and-recovery
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The information provided about wellness and health is for general informational and educational purposes only. We are not licensed medical professionals, and the content here should not be considered medical advice. Talk to a doctor before trying any of these suggestions.
