If the festive season has left you feeling uneasy about your alcohol consumption, you might be considering taking part in Dry January.

Dry January is a campaign encouraging people to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January, often as a reset after holiday indulgence. Originally started by Alcohol Change UK, the initiative aims to prompt individuals to reflect on their drinking habits and assess whether their relationship with alcohol is a healthy one.

Many participants use Dry January as an opportunity for a New Year detox. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to unpleasant side effects, and in severe cases, alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD).

When the liver suffers significant damage, symptoms can include nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin and eyes, swelling in the ankles and abdomen, drowsiness, and even vomiting blood. Additionally, heavy drinking over just a few days can cause fat to build up in the liver.

The NHS notes that fatty liver disease is usually symptomless and reversible. “If you stop drinking alcohol for 2 weeks, your liver should return to normal,” the NHS explains. This means that by mid-January, your liver could potentially recover from the excesses of Christmas.