12 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol

An awareness of such habits and triggers not only supports moderation but enhances overall well-being. Creating a plan for alcohol consumption enhances awareness about personal habits. Keeping a diary of drinking can help track patterns and identify triggers, allowing individuals to adjust their behaviors accordingly.

• While not everyone who quits drinking will experience withdrawal, you are more likely to have symptoms if you have been drinking for a long time, if you drink heavily, and/or if you drink frequently.
• Also, some people experience post-acute-withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS, which is emotional numbness resulting from low dopamine levels.
• The most dangerous symptoms that can develop will do so as symptoms peak.
• Because the liver is a tolerant organ, he said positive changes can occur within weeks of going dry.
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In a month’s time, though, your immune system will have the ability to recover. Quitting alcohol significantly improves heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving overall circulation—ultimately reducing the risk of heart disease. After all, alcohol can lead to high blood pressure and arrhythmias, weakening your heart muscles over time and increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

• While you don’t need to discuss your drinking habits with everyone, bringing a few friends in on your intention is a good idea, says Treloar Padovano.
• When your environment is clear of alcohol, you can focus on healthier habits.
• When the drinking stops, the brain needs time to adjust back to working without alcohol.
• Alcohol can be expensive, and quitting can lead to substantial financial savings.
• “You may notice an increase in mental clarity and memory, since alcohol use can impact concentration and memory,” he explains.

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This persists even after you quit drinking, which means people recovering from alcohol use disorders often crave sweets. Also, some people experience post-acute-withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS, which is emotional numbness resulting from low dopamine levels. Excessive eating is one way to temporarily boost those dopamine levels and make you feel better, but it can easily become a transfer addiction. One glass of wine, for example, has more than 100 calories, a vodka martini has about 130 calories, and your average can of beer has about 150 calories. That’s not so much if you only have one drink, but if you’re drinking even three drinks a night, that’s more than 2000 extra calories a week.

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But that may not be true, or true only for light sippers (less than one drink a day). If you use more than that, cutting back or quitting may lower your blood pressure, levels of fat called triglycerides, and chances of heart failure. Keeping a drink diary is a powerful tool for anyone looking to reduce their alcohol consumption. By recording each drink consumed, individuals gain insights into their drinking habits and how these patterns align with their goals.

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Whether it’s fewer bar tabs, restaurant bills, or liquor store runs, you’ll notice a positive impact on your wallet. These savings can be redirected towards other enjoyable or necessary activities, improving your quality of life. Alcohol is high in empty calories, and it can also increase appetite and lower inhibitions, leading to overeating. By reducing alcohol intake, you can significantly aid in weight loss efforts, particularly in the reduction of abdominal fat. Additionally, avoiding sugary mixers in alcoholic beverages can further decrease calorie intake.

Many people who decide to quit drinking notice a significant improvement in both their physical and mental health within just a few weeks. While these changes are all positive, it’s important to note that heavy drinkers may experience severe withdrawal symptoms during the first few days of sobriety. If you are drinking heavily, you should seek professional medical detox to help you navigate this step of recovery in a safe and medically supervised manner. As a result, many report enhanced sleep quality, improved skin appearance, and better digestion after cutting back on alcohol. Mental health benefits include reduced anxiety and clearer cognitive functions, as quitting alcohol often leads to lower blood pressure and a healthier weight. Thus, committing to alcohol-free days paves the way for significant lifestyle improvements.

It may decrease your risk of cancer.

We asked health experts what really happens when you take alcohol out of the equation for a month (or longer). Just being dry for 1 month and going back to drinking in excess is a bad idea. If you are drinking in excess, it’s better to cut your alcohol intake,” said Dasgupta. Setting clear limits on alcohol intake is essential for managing consumption.

While alcohol is high in calories, and wine, beer, and mixed drinks add sugar to one’s diet, Kumar said that simply cutting it out may not always help you lose weight. Excess alcohol consumption may cause weight gain, which means that cutting out alcohol could lead to weight loss for some people. Many people participate in “dry January” and take the month off from drinking alcohol to reset after the holiday season. Develop alternative plans for social interactions, such as things that happen when you stop drinking organizing outings that don’t revolve around alcohol, like going for coffee or attending a fitness class. This will help foster positive relationships and reinforce your commitment to reducing or quitting alcohol.

She’s currently training for her first half marathon, inspired by her many colleagues at WH who have run one. You can also take the lead in other ways by volunteering to host or inviting people to get togethers where alcohol isn’t center-stage or even present at all, says Young. Game or craft nights, bowling, museum-exploring, and pottery are all things that can be done sans-alcohol (though your friends might bring some anyway).