Freestyle Foundation

January 2025

January is Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month

In January, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be kicking off the first national Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month – a time to raise awareness of the benefits and availability of evidence-based treatments for people with a substance use disorder. We know so many people view January as a time to take stock, reset, and take steps toward healthier living. What better time for us to highlight information and resources that can help support treatment and recovery from a substance use disorder?

Check out our Treatment Month toolkit at samhsa.gov/sudtm, and keep your eyes on all of SAMHSA’s social media platforms. There you’ll find our tips, resources and even webinars to help people learn more about what substance use disorder is and how it can be effectively treated. Find local resources at our website, freestylefoundation.org!

We’ll have information for people asking questions about their own substance use, whether from alcohol to other drugs. Tune in if you’re a family member concerned about a loved one’s use of substances. And we’ll have information for health care practitioners who are so vital to addressing the health condition that is addiction. Because Treatment Works, and Recovery is Possible!

Excessive alcohol use = 3rd leading cause of preventable death

🌟Embrace an alcohol-free January with fun activities! 🌟

Looking for ways to enjoy January without alcohol? Here are some awesome ideas you can #TurnTo:

1. Cooking classes: Explore new recipes and expand your culinary skills.

2. Game nights: Host a board game or trivia night.

3. Meditation and stretching: Find your zen and boost your mental well-being.

4. Puzzles: Challenge yourself with a jigsaw or brain puzzles.

Embrace an alcohol-free January with fun activities! Looking for ways to enjoy January without alcohol? Here are some awesome ideas you can #TurnTo: 1. Cooking classes: Explore new recipes and expand your culinary skills. 2. Game nights: Host a board game or trivia night. 3. Meditation and stretching: Find your zen and boost your mental well-being. 4. Puzzles: Challenge yourself with a jigsaw or brain puzzles.

What is Dry January?

The Dry January campaign was started in 2013 by Alcohol Change U.K., a charity focused on reducing alcohol harm. For the past several years, the initiative has proved popular in the United States and other countries too. In general, Dry January is a period of abstaining from alcoholic beverages or "staying dry" for the month of January as a start to the new year. Attempting to stop drinking for Dry January is a good opportunity for people to see if they have an actual addiction to alcohol and may also help jump-start people to give up alcohol for longer. Experts say Dry January may be especially helpful to those who consistently drink over the recommended amount of two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.

People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol are at higher risk of death and many medical conditions. For example, individuals who drink unhealthy amounts of alcohol are more likely to have high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, nerve damage, infections including pneumonia and even certain cancers like breast cancer. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol may also have a negative impact on mental health, including memory loss, depression and anxiety, according to the American Psychological Association. For more information, check out Alcohol Change UK!

PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT

The latest DEA laboratory testing indicates 5 out of 10 pills tested in 2024

contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl.

UNIDOS: Fentanyl and Narcan Awareness Event

Join us as we partner with HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) staff and McKinney Police Department to provide fentanyl and Narcan awareness with UNIDOS for our Spanish-speaking community members.