Rethinking Your Relationship with Alcohol: Some Practical Tips

January 30, 2025 Lisa Malin

For many, drinking is woven into daily life—whether unwinding with a glass of wine, toasting at celebrations, or grabbing cocktails with friends. But as research continues to expose the health risks of alcohol—including its direct link to cancer—more people are reassessing their drinking habits.

If you're thinking about cutting back or quitting altogether, it’s not about deprivation; it’s about making choices that align with your well-being. Whether you're embracing sober curiosity, participating in Dry January, or simply looking for healthier habits, these steps can help you take control of your relationship with alcohol.

1. Get Informed

Knowledge is power. Many people aren’t aware that alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, in the same category as tobacco and asbestos. Even moderate drinking has been shown to shorten lifespan and increase disease risk, including liver disease, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Understanding the facts helps you make informed choices that support your health.

2. Identify Your Why

Clarify why you want to change your drinking habits. Are you looking to improve your physical health? Sleep better? Reduce anxiety? Be more present? Defining your “why” gives you a strong foundation to stay motivated when challenges arise, and they usually do.

3. Recognize Your Triggers

Think about what leads you to drink. Is it stress, boredom, social situations, or habit? Once you identify your triggers, you can develop ways to combat them. Instead of reaching for a drink, try:

Managing stress with movement: Take a walk, practice yoga, or hit the gym.
Creating new rituals: Swap your evening cocktail for herbal tea or sparkling water with lime.
Finding new social activities: Meet friends for coffee, a workout class, or a creative hobby instead of drinks.

4. Set Clear, Realistic Goals

Instead of vague resolutions like “I’ll drink less,” set specific, achievable goals. Here are a few ideas:

Limit drinking to weekends or special occasions.
Set a drink maximum (e.g., no more than four drinks per week).
Commit to alcohol-free days each week.
Try a month-long reset (like Dry January or Sober October).
Tracking your progress with an app or journal can keep you accountable.

5. Build a Support System

Change is easier with support. Let friends or family know about your goals so they can encourage you. If social drinking is a challenge, find people who support your choices—whether it’s a close friend, an online sober-curious community, or even a healthcare professional.

6. Explore Non-Alcoholic Alternatives

A new wave of craft mocktails, alcohol-free beers, and botanical spirits offers sophisticated, satisfying alternatives.

7. Dilute Your Drinks

Mixing cocktails with soda water or adding ice to wine helps you pace yourself while still enjoying a drink experience.

8. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Savor one well-made drink instead of mindlessly refilling your glass. Enjoying the experience can lead to more mindful consumption.

9. Speak to Your Healthcare Provider and Develop a Plan

This can help you stay motivated and accountable.

Final Thoughts:

Reevaluating your relationship with alcohol isn’t about restriction or going cold turkey—it’s about knowing the risks, making empowered choices, and prioritizing your health.

Beyond the Buzz: Alcohol and Your Health

January 28, 2025 Lisa Malin

For many, Dry January serves as more than just a short-term health reset—it’s a chance to pause, reflect, and reassess our relationship with alcohol. This opportunity feels more timey than ever given the growing body of research unmasking the significant and often overlooked impact of alcohol consumption, including its well known role in cancer development. With these risks now firmly in the spotlight, it’s time for a clearer understanding of how alcohol impacts our health and longevity. Understanding the research can also help us make informed decisions about the role of alcohol in our own lives.

Alcohol and Cancer: What You Need to Know

Despite being classified as a Group 1 carcinogen for over 30 years —alongside substances like tobacco and asbestos—alcohol's connection to cancer remains shockingly under-recognized. It’s is estimated that a whopping 75% of people in the United States and Canada are unaware that alcohol is directly linked to cancer. This lack of awareness is particularly concerning given the significant impact alcohol has on public health. Research reveals that alcohol is responsible for approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths annually in the United States alone. These statistics highlight the urgent need for greater education surrounding the risks of alcohol consumption and its clear role in the development of several types of cancer, including those of the liver, mouth, throat, and breast. Alarmingly, even light drinking—less than one drink a day—has been shown to increase the risk of some cancers, particularly breast cancer. This goes for wine too. The long held claim that a glass of red wine is good for your heart has also been debunked, as it turns out that the research was flawed.

How Alcohol Contributes to Cancer:

DNA Damage: Alcohol is broken down in the body into acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that directly damages DNA and interferes with the natural repair process. This damage can initiate the development of cancer.
Chronic Inflammation: Regular alcohol consumption promotes inflammation in the body, creating an environment that makes it easier for cancer to grow.
Absorption of Other Carcinogens: Alcohol increases the body’s ability to absorb harmful substances, such as those found in tobacco or processed foods, further amplifying its detrimental effects.

Beyond Cancer: Alcohol’s Broader Health Impacts

Alcohol’s dangers extend far beyond its carcinogenic properties. Regular consumption is linked to a wide range of physical and mental health issues, including:

Liver Disease: Fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Heart Health Risks: Hypertension, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and stroke.
Neurological Decline: Cognitive impairment, memory loss, and alcohol-induced nerve damage.
Mental Health Disorders: Increased rates of depression, anxiety, and alcohol dependence.
Immune Suppression: Heightened vulnerability to infections.
Reproductive Health Problems: Infertility, erectile dysfunction, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

The cumulative toll on your body and mind underscores why many health experts advocate for reducing alcohol consumption—or cutting it out entirely.

Why the Spotlight on Alcohol Now?

The renewed focus on alcohol’s risks stems from advancements in research and persistent advocacy from health officials. Most notably, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently released a new Surgeon General’s Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk, outlining the direct link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk and calling for ways to close the public knowledge gap, such as updating the existing Surgeon General’s health warning label on alcohol-containing beverages.

Warning Labels: An Educated Public

Current U.S. alcohol warning labels, unchanged since 1988, focus only on risks like birth defects, impaired driving, and general health issues. They do not address alcohol’s link to cancer or its classification as a Group 1 carcinogen. In contrast, countries like Ireland and South Korea are introducing cancer-specific warnings to educate consumers better.

These updates are crucial because studies show that clear and prominent health warnings can significantly increase public awareness and encourage healthier behaviors. A study conducted in Canada tested the impact of enhanced alcohol warning labels that explicitly mentioned cancer risks alongside other health warnings. The results were striking: within just two months, public awareness of alcohol’s link to cancer increased by 10%. The study also found that the updated labels influenced drinking behaviors, with some consumers reducing their alcohol intake after learning about the associated risks. Efforts such as this underscore the power of transparent labeling in addressing misinformation, reshaping perceptions, and ultimately reducing alcohol-related health risks.

Rethinking Your Relationship with Alcohol

Taking a hard look at your drinking habits isn’t about judgment—it’s about empowerment. Whether you’re considering cutting back or stopping altogether, these steps can help:

1. Get Informed

Knowledge is power. Understand the risks associated with alcohol consumption, especially its connection to cancer and other diseases. Equip yourself with facts to make informed decisions about your health.

2. Identify Your Motivation

Clarify why you want to change your relationship with alcohol. Is it to improve your physical health? Reduce anxiety? Be more present with your family. Knowing your “why” will guide you when you face challenges.

3. Recognize Your Triggers

Identify situations or emotions that lead you to drink, such as stress, boredom, or social pressure. By understanding these triggers, you can plan healthier alternatives, like taking a walk, journaling, or meditating, instead of reaching for a drink.

4. Set Clear Goals

Define specific, realistic goals around your alcohol consumption. Whether you aim to limit drinking to weekends, stick to one drink per occasion, or quit altogether, having a plan provides structure and accountability.

5. Build a Support System

Talk to friends, family, or a healthcare professional about your decision to cut back or quit. Sharing your goals can create accountability and inspire others to join you.

Practical Strategies for Mindful Drinking

If you choose to drink, approach it with intention. These tips can help:

Explore Non-Alcoholic Alternatives: Many bars now offer craft mocktails, alcohol-free beers, and wines that feel just as celebratory.
Alternate Drinks: Sip water or soda between alcoholic beverages.
Eat Before You Drink: A full stomach slows alcohol absorption and reduces its impact.
Dilute Your Drinks: Add soda water or ice to make drinks last longer.
Choose Quality Over Quantity: Savor one or two drinks instead of mindlessly consuming more.
Take Breaks: Consider alcohol-free days or months to reset your habits and reassess your relationship with drinking.

The Bottom Line

Alcohol is more than a casual indulgence—it’s a substance with significant and far-reaching health risks. By reducing or eliminating alcohol, you can dramatically lower your risk of cancer and other diseases, improve your mental and physical well-being, and live a healthier, more vibrant life.

The decision to change your drinking habits starts with awareness and a willingness to reflect on how alcohol fits into your life. Whether you choose to cut back, stop altogether, or simply drink more mindfully, each step toward reducing alcohol consumption is a step toward better health.

Cookware Glow Up: Why Upgrading Matters

December 12, 2024 Lisa Malin

Cooking at home is not only healthier than dining out but also empowers you to take full control of your nutrition. By preparing your own meals, you can select high-quality ingredients, limit additives, and customize recipes to align with your personal tastes and wellness goals. A key ally in home cooking is nonstick cookware, celebrated for its ease of use—streamlining the cooking process and making cleanup effortless. However, the safety of traditional nonstick pans has been a topic of heated discussion since their introduction, raising important questions about their impact on health and the environment.

Here’s Why:

The concern stems from the materials and coatings used in conventional nonstick cookware, particularly substances like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals." These chemicals are prized for their nonstick properties but have raised red flags due to potential health risks, including links to hormone disruption, developmental issues, cancer and environmental contamination. Over time, as non-stick pans age or are overheated, they can release toxic fumes and particles that may compromise both human health and the environment. PFAS and heavy metals can also leach into food, particularly when cooking at high temperatures with acid (tomatoes, citrus, vinegar).

In response to these concerns, the cookware market has evolved, introducing “safer” alternatives like ceramic-coated pans. While some brands genuinely prioritize health and sustainability, not all cookware labeled as “green” or “nontoxic” is entirely safe. Even when the ceramic coating itself is non-toxic, the underlying materials—such as lead, aluminum, or cadmium—can pose risks. Over time, wear and tear can cause the ceramic coating to chip or degrade, potentially exposing these harmful base materials. Aluminum exposure has been linked to neurotoxicity, obesity, and even breast cancer; while lead, another known neurotoxin, is linked to kidney and heart disease.

Since I believe that cooking should be a source of nourishment and joy—not a cause for worry, I’ve created a list of things for you to look for when purchasing cookware for your own home. I’ve also added a list of products and brands I trust and I use daily.

Non-Toxic Cookware: What to Look For and Why I Like It

Solid Ceramic Cookware

Made entirely from clay, these pots and pans are free of heavy metals and synthetic coatings.
Naturally nonstick, durable, and safe for high-heat cooking.

Cast Iron

Free of synthetic chemicals and highly durable.
Offers the added benefit of iron supplementation to your diet.
When properly seasoned, it creates a naturally nonstick surface.

Enameled Cast Iron

Combines the benefits of cast iron with a non-reactive, chip-resistant enamel coating.
Beautiful, durable, and free from PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and BPA.

Stainless Steel

Food-grade stainless steel (18/8 or 18/10) is durable, versatile, and resistant to leaching.
Ideal for cooking acidic foods without concern for chemical leaching and contamination.

Final Thoughts

Swapping out toxic cookware doesn’t have to be an overnight change—small steps can lead to big improvements. Start with a single piece of high-quality, non-toxic cookware and build your collection over time.

Additional Sources:

Sunderland, E. M., et al. “Environmental Health Impacts of PFAS: What We Know and What We Can Do.” Environmental Science & Technology.
Krewski, D., et al. "Aluminum in the Human Body." Critical Reviews in Toxicology.
Tadele, A., et al. "Toxicity of Heavy Metals in Everyday Products." Environmental Science and Pollution Research.