As Americans look for a fresh start in 2026, Dr. Drew Pinsky says the country\u2019s approach to addiction is drifting further from what actually works.
\nEvery January, many Americans look to reset their lives with enough discipline and a plan.
\nFor people who repeatedly promise themselves this will be the year they quit whatever they might be addicted to \u2014 and keep falling short \u2014 Dr. Drew said during an interview with Fox News Digital that the issue is often the belief that willpower alone is enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith addiction, you have to surrender,\u201d he explained. Meanwhile, at a time when Americans are encouraged to \u201creset\u201d everything from their diets to their dopamine, Dr. Drew shared a warning: addiction doesn\u2019t reset on a calendar. \u201cAlcoholism or addiction\u2026 they progress, always,\u201d he said. Despite the calendar pressure to \u201cstart fresh,\u201d Dr. Drew said he doesn\u2019t make New Year\u2019s resolutions himself \u2014 not because change doesn\u2019t matter, but because he believes sudden change rarely lasts. In conclusion, Dr. Drew Pinsky emphasizes the importance of surrender and seeking help in overcoming addiction, rather than relying solely on willpower or New Year’s resolutions. He also highlights the potential risks of trendy resets and the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing addiction.<\/p>\n Q: What is Dr. Drew’s approach to overcoming addiction? Introduction to Addiction and Recovery As Americans look for a fresh start in 2026, Dr. Drew Pinsky says the country\u2019s approach to addiction is drifting further from what actually works. Every January, many Americans look to reset their lives with enough discipline and a plan. For people who repeatedly promise themselves this will be the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":27158,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-27156","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health-wellness"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nypost.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2025%2F12%2Fdr-drew-pinsky-speaks-candace-118037510.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall&w=1920&resize=1920,1279&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27156"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27156"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27159,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27156\/revisions\/27159"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27158"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\u201cIf you actually have addiction, you have to be sure you\u2019re ready, and then you have to surrender to some process.\u201d
\nThe host of \u201cHealth Uncensored with Dr. Drew\u201d continued to say that the process doesn\u2019t have to be complicated or expensive.
\n\u201cThere are free programs out there\u2026 mutual-aid societies, or 12-step programs,\u201d Dr. Drew said.
\n\u201cIf you merely surrender to that process and do what people tell you, follow direction, you will get better.\u201d
\n
\nFor many people, that foundation is essential. However, Dr. Drew suggested that others may also need additional help \u2014 and may lean toward therapy, medication or a medical evaluation.
\nDr. Drew Pinsky says America\u2019s approach to addiction is drifting further from what actually works. Getty Images<\/span>
\nThe common thread, he said, is accepting help instead of trying to manage everything alone.<\/p>\nThe Problem with New Year’s Resolutions<\/h2>\n
\nWith trendy resets like \u201cDry January\u201d or \u201cdopamine detoxes,\u201d the celebrity physician told Fox News Digital that although some Americans may see these practices as a responsible first step, they can also mask a much bigger problem.
\n\u201cIf you\u2019re having to make deals with yourself because of your relationship with a substance, you have a problem,\u201d he said.
\nDr. Drew said addiction doesn\u2019t reset on a calendar. GC Images<\/span>
\n\u201cSo, if you want a Dry January or Dry October or you just want to do a dopamine reset, there\u2019s already a problem.\u201d
\nThat doesn\u2019t mean everyone who tries a reset is addicted \u2014 but Dr. Drew suggested that when control requires constant negotiation, it\u2019s often a sign that things are already slipping.<\/p>\nUnderstanding Addiction Progression<\/h2>\n
\n\u201cThe more serious things like stimulants and opioids progress to death. Alcohol, people can trundle along for long periods of time, but the consequences of your life can be quite considerable.\u201d
\nHe also cautioned against the trend of \u201cdopamine detox\u201d and said the concept may oversimplify how the brain actually works.
\n\u201cI want to point out that people have grave misconceptions about dopamine. You don\u2019t feel anything when your dopamine system is activated, except the desire to do that again,\u201d Dr. Drew explained to Fox News Digital.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s the \u2018do that again\u2019 system.\u201d
\nDr. Drew revealed he doesn\u2019t make New Year\u2019s resolutions, because he believes sudden change rarely lasts. Monkey Business \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span>
\nIf stopping feels impossible, he said, it\u2019s not a personal failure. It\u2019s a signal that the brain may need support \u2014 not another challenge.<\/p>\nThe Ineffectiveness of Sudden Change<\/h2>\n
\n\u201cI don\u2019t adhere to New Year\u2019s resolutions. I think they\u2019re just a recipe for a letdown. I try to do things on a daily basis and not all of a sudden, because that\u2019s not how people change. It really isn\u2019t,\u201d he told Fox News Digital.
\n\u201cIt can be useful from the standpoint of readiness. In other words, preparing yourself for change. If you\u2019re going to make a big change in your life \u2014 whether it\u2019s a diet or quitting smoking or stopping alcohol \u2014 you have to really be ready and make sure you\u2019re ready. And if that\u2019s New Year\u2019s, and that\u2019s the point you\u2019re aiming toward, fine \u2014 but you\u2019ve got to maintain it after that. It\u2019s very, very important.\u201d
\nEpisodes of \u201cHealth Uncensored with Dr. Drew\u201d are available to stream on HealthUncensoredTV.com and YouTube.<\/p>\nConclusion<\/h2>\n
FAQs<\/h2>\n
\nA: Dr. Drew emphasizes the importance of surrender and seeking help, rather than relying solely on willpower.
\nQ: What is the problem with New Year’s resolutions?
\nA: Dr. Drew believes that New Year’s resolutions are often a recipe for letdown, as sudden change rarely lasts.
\nQ: What is the concept of dopamine detox, and is it effective?
\nA: Dr. Drew cautions against the trend of dopamine detox, stating that it oversimplifies how the brain works and may not be an effective approach to addressing addiction.
\nQ: Where can I find more information on Dr. Drew’s approach to health and wellness?
\nA: Episodes of \u201cHealth Uncensored with Dr. Drew\u201d are available to stream on HealthUncensoredTV.com and YouTube.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"