Holiday cheers often mean extra drinks, but did you know those festive cocktails can have some serious downsides? Dr. Neil McDevitt from Novant East Cooper Medical Center explains that even though alcohol is a big part of our culture, it's actually a type of poison that our bodies have to work hard to deal with. It can mess with our livers, our pancreas—even our whole body.

Jessa Frances De La Rosa found this out the hard way. She didn't have a drinking problem, but she wanted to live a healthier life. She started her own alcohol-free beverage consulting business, Untoxicated, and tells us you just need to find your reason for quitting and know what drink to order. A sparkling water with a lime wedge can look like a vodka tonic, for example.

The holiday season can be tough. Sometimes we overindulge and lose sight of our goals. But Dr. McDevitt says young people are finding new ways to enjoy the holidays without all the booze. They're challenging the old rules that said every holiday party needed alcohol. Instead, they're looking for other fun things to do.

If you're looking for alcohol alternatives, there are options like Sechey, Curious Elixirs, and Amethyst Spirits. And if you need help with alcohol dependency, there are places to turn, like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, local support groups, and Beacon Recovery.

Why Cutting Back on Holiday Alcohol Can Be a Healthy Choice

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