In January, many people choose to refrain from alcohol, or what is known as a “dry January,” after potential excess during the holiday season. But what about those who want to refrain longer or explore their relationship with alcohol? What does it mean to be sober curious, or practice mindful drinking? How would shifting our drinking habits impact our health? We spoke to Amanda E. White, licensed professional counselor and the owner of Therapy for Women Center, author of Not Drinking Tonight, and creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwomen, about mindful drinking, how to practice boundaries when refraining from alcohol, and helpful tips for listeners who are sober curious to begin changing their relationship with alcohol.

<p>In January, many people choose to refrain from alcohol, or what is known as a “<a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/dry-january-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/dry-january-2024&source=gmail&ust=1706197640475000&usg=AOvVaw31wtNkOHMnrnDupr-ezHhj">dry January</a>,” after potential excess during the holiday season. But what about those who want to refrain longer or explore their relationship with alcohol? What does it mean to be sober curious, or practice mindful drinking? How would shifting our drinking habits <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/ss/slideshow-alcohol-body-effects" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/ss/slideshow-alcohol-body-effects&source=gmail&ust=1706197640475000&usg=AOvVaw2PDzA8SLwYN2P_caIRoxou">impact our health</a>? We spoke to <a href="https://amandaewhite.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amandaewhite.com/&source=gmail&ust=1706197640475000&usg=AOvVaw1JwlR0bNOqLVqVa7wMZekC">Amanda E. White</a>, licensed professional counselor and the owner of <a href="https://therapyforwomencenter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://therapyforwomencenter.com/&source=gmail&ust=1706197640475000&usg=AOvVaw2UJvZskQZg0aNT5NwsfnCR">Therapy for Women Center</a>, author of <em>Not Drinking Tonight</em>, and creator of the popular Instagram account <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therapyforwomen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/therapyforwomen/&source=gmail&ust=1706197640475000&usg=AOvVaw2Qm9_d9VXgnde3NvrS6fnN">@therapyforwomen</a>, about mindful drinking, how to practice <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/setting-boundaries" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/setting-boundaries&source=gmail&ust=1706197640475000&usg=AOvVaw22WIjeBmni0SH5ixDC0LVG">boundaries</a> when refraining from alcohol, and helpful tips for listeners who are sober curious to begin changing their relationship with alcohol.</p>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

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In January, many people choose to refrain from alcohol, or what is known as a “,” after potential excess during the holiday season. But what about those who want to refrain longer or explore their relationship with alcohol? What does it mean to be...

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