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Health Information | 03/03/2026

What I Tell Patients When "Dry January" Ends

By  Roberto Mastroianni, NP
Reducing Alcohol Intake

The start of the year may be long gone, but there are plenty of reasons to turn a “Dry January” into something more than a month-long challenge.

Simply put: Drinking less alcohol is better for your health than drinking more. Alcohol is a carcinogen. Even moderate amounts of alcohol consumption have been associated with a higher risk of certain chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease. If you don’t already drink alcohol, public health authorities advise there’s no reason for you to start.

The more alcohol someone consumes, the greater the risk of potential health problems. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can increase a person’s risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.
 
In Massachusetts, 17 percent of adults report binge or heavy drinking in the past 30 days – and that’s about the same for communities in the North Shore, as well.
 
Continue reading the full article on the Salem News website (subscription required).
 
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About The Author

Roberto Mastroianni, NP

Roberto Mastroianni, NP, is a board board-certified nurse practitioner and a primary care provider at our Peabody location. Roberto received his degree from Simmons University in Boston. His clinical interests include chronic disease management, preventative care, addiction medicine, LGBTQIA+ health, health equity, and primary care innovation.

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