Dry January?

Prosecuting Counsel: "Defendant was drunk as a judge."

Judge: "I believe the expression is 'drunk as a Lord'" 

Counsel: "I'm obliged... my Lord."

This witticism appeared on Twitter in the midst of the discussion of "Dry January".  As in most years, on the first couple of days of the new year, people made promises to themselves to eat less, join the gym, and never, ever drink again (ever!).

There is some debate, however, as to the relationship between drinking habits and health. Tom Chivers claims, with suitable scepticism about "detoxing"in general, that a month's abstinence once a year really doesn't do much for long term health - a few dry days a week, every week, is more likely to keep you and your liver in good shape

Meantime, though, the New Scientist tried out a detox experiment, and although the jury is out (my Lord) on conclusions, there is a suggestion at least that a liver-vacation could, in fact, be of significant benefit.

Ed Stetzer was discussing the rising acceptability of alcohol in the formerly "dry territory" of Southern Evangelicalism. Some slightly confusing language remains about alcoholism as a "sin" not a disease, but his interview with an anonymous pastor who developed a drink problem does include a heartwarming story of a congregation who actually supported him, rather than taking the more common route of dumping him at the first sign of imperfection. Asked, "How did the church leaders respond?", the pastor replied: "Very gracefully and lovingly. One leader said, "You've taught us not to shoot our wounded. We're not going to start with you."

If you are contemplating a change in your habits, though, and not just a trawl through the latest gossip, perhaps the most useful read is "Cold Turkey isn't the only Route" - an article that suggests there are as many ways to treat problems as there are people who have them. "“We are wedded to the abstinence model as the goal, despite evidence that there can be many successful outcomes.”