- Mountainside addiction treatment expert Jana Wu, LCSW, spoke on a sold-out WBUR panel in Boston about the rise of Dry January and the “sober curious” movement.
- Wu emphasized the medical risks of quitting alcohol abruptly, the importance of medically supervised detox, and the often-overlooked impact of addiction on families.
- The discussion reflects a broader cultural shift toward alcohol-free lifestyles, while underscoring the need for year-round, evidence-based support beyond Dry January.
BOSTON, MA — As Dry January continues its evolution into a cultural mainstay, a leading addiction treatment expert is reminding the public that alcohol withdrawal safety and medical detox should be part of any conversation about sobriety—especially as interest in substance use treatment expands beyond January.
On Friday, January 9, 2026, Jana Wu, LCSW, Director of Clinical Integration at Mountainside Treatment Center, joined a sold-out WBUR panel discussion at WBUR CitySpace at Boston University exploring the rise of alcohol-free lifestyles and the growing “sober curious” movement. Moderated by WBUR Senior Reporter Ally Jarmanning, the event also featured bestselling author Laura McKowen, founder of The Luckiest Club, and CJ Mutti, founder of Dry Humor.
The packed Friday night turnout underscored a cultural shift: sobriety is no longer seen as fringe or restrictive, but as a valid and empowering choice. Still, Wu emphasized that enthusiasm for Dry January must be paired with education, medical awareness, and nuanced understanding of all substances affecting recovery today.
“I love that so many people wanted to come out on a Friday night in the city and connect to discuss sober curiosity and what exists on the other side of alcohol,” Wu said during the panel. “It was a great conversation with people who are changing the landscape around how we talk about alcohol, wellness, and choice.”
Dry January Is a Starting Point—Not a Safety Plan
Wu cautioned that while taking a break from alcohol can be beneficial, quitting “cold turkey” can be dangerous for individuals with physical dependence.“Alcohol withdrawal can actually be extraordinarily dangerous,” Wu explained. “If someone has been drinking daily for a long time, they may need a medical detox. What’s tricky is that the most dangerous symptoms — like delirium tremens — often don’t appear until 48 hours to four days after stopping, when someone thinks they’re already through the woods.”
Mountainside Treatment Center provides medically supervised detox services, along with both in-person and virtual treatment options, ensuring individuals can explore recovery safely and with professional support.
Sobriety Isn’t Seasonal — And Neither Is Family Impact
Wu also highlighted a frequently overlooked reality: while Dry January centers individual choice, addiction affects entire family systems.“It is extraordinarily painful to love someone and watch them hurt themselves and feel unable to stop,” Wu shared. “For family members, it’s essential to get your own support — whether that’s therapy or a support group — so you’re not carrying that fear and exhaustion alone.”
Unlike many treatment models that focus solely on the individual, Mountainside’s family-centered approach offers education, therapy, and free support groups for loved ones navigating the uncertainty and emotional toll of addiction.
Meeting People Where They Are
As Director of Clinical Integration, Wu’s work centers on reducing stigma and making treatment more accessible — whether someone is newly sober curious, considering treatment, or supporting a loved one.
“Dry January gives people permission to ask questions about their relationship with alcohol,” Wu noted. “But support shouldn’t be seasonal. Help needs to be available year-round, without judgment.”
Expert Insight on Kratom: Complex, Controversial, and Often Misunderstood
While conversations around sobriety often focus on alcohol, Wu is also nationally recognized for her expertise on kratom — a plant-derived substance that has surged in use and presents unique clinical challenges. In a 2023 Psychology Today article, Wu explored the complexities of kratom, noting that while some individuals use it to self-manage pain or cravings, clinical evidence remains mixed, and misuse can lead to dependency and negative health outcomes.
This depth of experience complements Mountainside’s larger mission: providing context-informed, medically grounded care for anyone navigating substance use — whether alcohol, kratom, or other substances.
To learn more about Mountainside, visit mountainside.com.
Contact:
Griffin Gonzales, Director of Media Relations
(231) 794-9450
griffin.gonzales@mountainside.com
ENDS
On Friday, January 9, 2026, Jana Wu, LCSW, Director of Clinical Integration at Mountainside Treatment Center, joined a sold-out WBUR panel discussion at WBUR CitySpace at Boston University exploring the rise of alcohol-free lifestyles and the growing “sober curious” movement. Moderated by WBUR Senior Reporter Ally Jarmanning, the event also featured bestselling author Laura McKowen, founder of The Luckiest Club, and CJ Mutti, founder of Dry Humor.
The packed Friday night turnout underscored a cultural shift: sobriety is no longer seen as fringe or restrictive, but as a valid and empowering choice. Still, Wu emphasized that enthusiasm for Dry January must be paired with education, medical awareness, and nuanced understanding of all substances affecting recovery today.
“I love that so many people wanted to come out on a Friday night in the city and connect to discuss sober curiosity and what exists on the other side of alcohol,” Wu said during the panel. “It was a great conversation with people who are changing the landscape around how we talk about alcohol, wellness, and choice.”
Dry January Is a Starting Point—Not a Safety Plan
Wu cautioned that while taking a break from alcohol can be beneficial, quitting “cold turkey” can be dangerous for individuals with physical dependence.“Alcohol withdrawal can actually be extraordinarily dangerous,” Wu explained. “If someone has been drinking daily for a long time, they may need a medical detox. What’s tricky is that the most dangerous symptoms — like delirium tremens — often don’t appear until 48 hours to four days after stopping, when someone thinks they’re already through the woods.”
Mountainside Treatment Center provides medically supervised detox services, along with both in-person and virtual treatment options, ensuring individuals can explore recovery safely and with professional support.
Sobriety Isn’t Seasonal — And Neither Is Family Impact
Wu also highlighted a frequently overlooked reality: while Dry January centers individual choice, addiction affects entire family systems.“It is extraordinarily painful to love someone and watch them hurt themselves and feel unable to stop,” Wu shared. “For family members, it’s essential to get your own support — whether that’s therapy or a support group — so you’re not carrying that fear and exhaustion alone.”
Unlike many treatment models that focus solely on the individual, Mountainside’s family-centered approach offers education, therapy, and free support groups for loved ones navigating the uncertainty and emotional toll of addiction.
Meeting People Where They Are
As Director of Clinical Integration, Wu’s work centers on reducing stigma and making treatment more accessible — whether someone is newly sober curious, considering treatment, or supporting a loved one.
“Dry January gives people permission to ask questions about their relationship with alcohol,” Wu noted. “But support shouldn’t be seasonal. Help needs to be available year-round, without judgment.”
Expert Insight on Kratom: Complex, Controversial, and Often Misunderstood
While conversations around sobriety often focus on alcohol, Wu is also nationally recognized for her expertise on kratom — a plant-derived substance that has surged in use and presents unique clinical challenges. In a 2023 Psychology Today article, Wu explored the complexities of kratom, noting that while some individuals use it to self-manage pain or cravings, clinical evidence remains mixed, and misuse can lead to dependency and negative health outcomes.
This depth of experience complements Mountainside’s larger mission: providing context-informed, medically grounded care for anyone navigating substance use — whether alcohol, kratom, or other substances.
To learn more about Mountainside, visit mountainside.com.
Contact:
Griffin Gonzales, Director of Media Relations
(231) 794-9450
griffin.gonzales@mountainside.com
ENDS