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As we enter into the official start of the holiday season next week with Thanksgiving gatherings, it’s an important time to think about your daily or weekly alcohol consumption. For many families, holiday get togethers can be stressful situations and alcohol consumption might seem like the answer to calming nerves. Or, for others, it’s been an intense year and alcohol intake may have been slowly ramping up. Let’s face it; there are a host of reasons why you shouldn’t drink. We know that even in moderation it can contribute to depression, poor decision-making skills, delay in reflexes, slurred speech, aggressive behavior, and a lack of balance. In the long-term, alcohol consumption can contribute to cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and other central nervous system issues. Scientists are also finding more and more of a correlation between habitual drinking and cancer. One study in 2011 found that consuming 3 – 6 alcoholic drinks per week increased a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer by 15%.

Alcohol abuse is a serious condition and now is as good a time as any to reduce dependency or work on abstaining altogether. For some inspiration, The Huffington Post just compiled a list of popular celebrities of all ages who don’t drink. Some of them include:

1. Jennifer Hudson – has never had a drink in her life!

2. Russell Brand – sober for 10 years.

3. Jada Pinkett Smith – sober for 8 years.

4. Colin Ferrell – sober for 7 years.

5. Christina Ricci

6. Blake Lively – doesn’t feel the need.

7. Tobey McGuire – sober since 19 years old.

8. Kim Cattrall

9. Kristin Davis – sober for 26 years.

10. Matthew Perry

On many entertainers’ minds is how alcohol abuse increases the rate of the aging process. Jennifer Lopez comes right and out says she doesn’t drink because it ruins her skin. Other beauties that don’t partake include Supermodel Tyra Banks and Kim Kardashian. There is something to be said for this. Alcohol is extremely dehydrating and has diuretic qualities depriving the skin of the moisture and nutrients it needs to stay youthful. It works as a vasodilator so your face looks red and flush, puffy and swollen. This increased blood flow to the face can turn into broken capillaries, especially around the nose. These celebrities have figured out that aside from the emotional aspects of drinking, excessive alcohol consumption leads to dull, wrinkled and reddish looking skin. Furthermore, consuming two or more drinks less than two hours before going to bed disturbs sleep patterns. It might make you fall asleep more quickly, but as it wears off in the middle of the night, it increases your chances of waking up. This disruption in the normal sleep cycle can lead to dark circles, puffiness and exhaustion the next day.

In terms of success and career, more and more high profile individuals are vocal about the fact that drinking was holding them back from reaching their goals and aspirations. Their lives were becoming train wrecks full of broken relationships and bad behavior. In some cases, it takes stints in rehab but for others psychotherapy, group therapy and support groups like AA and alcohol education classes are enough to keep individuals on the wagon. You can take positive steps to stop your drinking by getting involved with one of these programs today.