As the holiday season winds down and New Year intentions kick in, a lot of people start looking at “Dry January” as a reset button. For some, though, cutting back is not just a month-long challenge but a bigger lifestyle shift. Dr. Alex George, a physician who recently marked three years of sobriety, says there are certain situations where alcohol can do more harm than good. In his view, those moments are worth taking seriously rather than brushing off as normal festive overindulgence.
George, who became widely known after appearing on Love Island, has spoken openly about why he stopped drinking in 2022. After the death of his younger brother, he described reaching a point where alcohol felt like it was dragging him further down instead of helping him cope. He has since framed sobriety as a difficult decision that ultimately gave him space to rebuild. His message is not that everyone who drinks has a problem, but that you do not need extreme consumption for alcohol to get in the way.
The first group he highlights is people with ADHD. He argues that alcohol can amplify impulsive choices and intensify symptoms that are already challenging to manage. In simple terms, he likens it to adding fuel to a fire, where the downsides get louder while the benefits feel dulled. For anyone who recognizes that pattern, he suggests avoiding alcohol rather than treating it as harmless.
Second, he points to anyone struggling with mental health, especially persistent low mood or depression. George emphasizes that alcohol acts as a depressant and can leave people feeling worse in the days that follow, not only in the form of post-drinking anxiety. He also warns that regular drinking across weeks and months can weigh on your emotional baseline and make it harder to access stable energy and motivation. The takeaway is that what feels like temporary relief can quietly deepen the slump.
@dralexgeorge If I was one of these three people, I wouldn’t drink alcohol. Here’s why👆Do you agree? #alcohol #adhd #impulsive #alcoholfree #sobercurious #goals ♬ original sound – Dr Alex
His third group is people who feel stuck and frustrated by goals they cannot seem to reach, including classic New Year resolutions. He believes alcohol can interfere with becoming the version of yourself you are aiming for, even when drinking looks moderate on paper. His suggestion is practical, try stepping away for a longer stretch, like six months, and pay attention to what changes. For him, that experiment made a noticeable difference.
George stresses that this is his personal viewpoint and that health choices should be discussed with a doctor who knows your situation. Still, his broader point lands at a time when many people are already reconsidering their habits and looking for clearer mornings and steadier moods.
Have you ever taken a break from alcohol and noticed a bigger shift than you expected? Share your experience in the comments.
