How My Relationship With Alcohol Has Changed and Why I Quit Drinking Designing a Life Well-Lived

Healthcare providers typically prescribe short-term medications to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal. From sleeping better to supporting your immune system, there are some significant impacts that your body may experience by embarking on a booze-free journey. If you’re not ready to completely give up your spirits, know that reducing your alcohol intake can also have major health benefits. Many people participate in “dry January” and take the month off from drinking alcohol to reset after the holiday season. There are many benefits to giving up alcohol, both short-term and long-term.

Once you pass through the acute withdrawal symptoms, your body starts to stabilize. You may still feel tired and a little drained, but your body has now started to recover from the shock of the withdrawal. Depending on the severity of your addiction to alcohol, you may experience early-onset withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms could be mild (headaches, sweating, nausea, tremors) or they could be more severe (hallucinations or seizures).

• Bumping up our vitamin C intake, washing our hands and getting quality sleep are all tried-and-true ways to help us stay cold and flu-free (although nothing is guaranteed).
• The unexpected benefit of quitting alcohol is that your skin might start to look better.
• Westman, J.; Wahlbeck, K.; & et al. “Mortality and life expectancy of people with alcohol use disorder in Denmark, Finland and Sweden.” Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
• Heavy drinkers or binge drinkers should feel more hydrated and less fatigued after 4 days of not drinking.
• “If you have cancer and you’re worried about it growing then you should stop,” he explained.

The First Few Hours (0-24 Hours)

After two weeks without alcohol, the benefits will start to compound. You will probably be well out of withdrawal and mostly recovered from the ordeal. By this point, you will have had about 6,000 fewer calories than you would have previously during a two-week period.

• Because the liver is a tolerant organ, he said positive changes can occur within weeks of going dry.
• Most drinkers start to sleep better after a week of no alcohol consumption.
• There are many benefits to giving up alcohol, both short-term and long-term.
• To overcome this, you may want to find hobbies and social activities that enrich your life.
• Essentially, I wanted to drink but kept telling myself I shouldn’t.

Medical detox ensures you will be as safe as possible by providing 24/7 monitoring that helps recognize and treat complications effectively and as rapidly as possible. It can make your family and friends feel as if you are choosing an addiction over them and cause you to act in ways that are destructive to relationships. The effects of alcohol can even make you abusive or cause you to harm others emotionally. Alcohol can cause inflammation and damage to your liver when used heavily over prolonged periods.

Alcohol Use Disorder: After You Quit Drinking

Beyond the safety considerations, medical detox is a more comfortable, pleasant experience. Your healthcare team will help treat each symptom as soon as it develops and equip you for success. This can help you avoid much of the unpleasantness that can occur as withdrawal symptoms develop.

Additionally, you may observe several improvements in your physical wellbeing. You might experience an increase in energy, endurance, and a healthier-looking complexion. As you progress into the weeks of sobriety, the benefits become more evident. The immune system, which alcohol can suppress, starts to regain strength so your body is better at fighting infections. Without the highs and lows caused by alcohol consumption, you may find it easier to manage stress, process emotions, and maintain healthier relationships.

• After three months without drinking, your immune system strengthens as the impact of alcohol on white blood cells diminishes.
• These effects will subside as your body adjusts to the absence of alcohol.
• If you’re a heavy drinker or someone with a history of alcohol dependence, always consult with a medical professional before quitting.
• I drank daily for a decade, often feeling trapped in a cycle of drinking and regret.

You May Lose Weight

Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 (or your local emergency service number) if you or a loved one has any concerning Sobriety symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. When people want to lose weight, skipping their favorite sugary foods or hitting the gym a bit more is often the first step. While alcohol is high in calories, and wine, beer, and mixed drinks add sugar to one’s diet, cutting it out may or may not help you lose weight depending on how much alcohol you consume regularly. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, alcohol should be consumed in moderation — up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Cutting out alcohol for 30 days can have benefits for those who drink more than the recommended limit of two drinks a day for males and one drink a day for females.

If you or a loved one would like to quit alcohol in a safe, non-judgmental space, contact Allure Detox. We provide a secure and compassionate environment to support your journey. We offer various treatment programs designed to aid in your recovery, and can discuss options for both inpatient and outpatient support depending on your needs. For those struggling with alcohol addiction treatment, we are here to help. When you quit drinking alcohol, the first few days are typically the most intense. Before finding this neuroscience treatment, I tried to quit drinking so many times.

The First 24-72 Hours (1-3 Days)

“For a light drinker, you don’t really need to taper,” says Dr. Mosquera. Your body’s systems bounce back over time, but after about 30 days, you’ll start seeing a difference. Even after three to six months, you may experience some physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, mood swings, and insomnia. Your physical and psychological cravings for alcohol may increase, though, and you may find yourself missing the daily effects of alcohol. After seven days of not drinking alcohol, most withdrawal symptoms should be gone for moderate drinkers. For those who do not drink heavily, this period often brings noticeable improvements.

Rather, it was shown to work to reverse alcohol addiction at the root level, which was inside the brain. My story isn’t about white-knuckling through cravings or declaring alcohol the enemy. Instead, it’s about finding a different way—one that allowed me to break free without forcing abstinence or labeling myself. I hope sharing my journey shows you that it’s possible to quit drinking alcohol without AA or even a firm commitment to quit from day one. The decision to embrace sobriety can stem from many reasons—rooted in health, emotional healing, and often a mix of the two.

• For instance, Dasgupta cited research he conducted on the relationship between genetics and alcohol misuse.
• Additionally, I examine the way mental and physical health as well as our relationships with others impact the reasons people drink and their role in maintaining sobriety long-term.
• Quitting alcohol can be one of the most transformative decisions you make for your health and well-being.
• But before you begin, it’s important to define what the term “quitting alcohol” means to you.
• In some cases, people who have been heavily dependent on alcohol may experience severe withdrawal symptoms known as delirium tremens (DTs).
• Yes, there are many support options outside of AA, such as online alcohol recovery programs, harm reduction groups, online support groups, therapy, and coaching.

Heavy alcohol use is expensive, potentially costing you $800 each month or even more. Stopping alcohol won’t just put a bit of extra change in your pocket; it has the potential to have a sizable impact on your income and the lifestyle you can live. Care home fees have risen to an average of nearly £1,400 a week, research by a leading healthcare market data firm has found. She is certainly correct – according to Anaphylaxis UK, under UK law and EU regulations, passengers with medical conditions (including food allergies) must not face discrimination. Airlines should make reasonable accommodations to support you if you have a medical requirement. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of news to ingest on Donald Trump’s tariffs plans in recent weeks, well, you’re not alone.

Reduce the risk of cancer

When you abuse alcohol, your brain’s dopamine receptors get overloaded and numbed, leading to feelings of sadness and even hopelessness that take more and more alcohol to “fix.” At 2 weeks, most drinkers should no longer experience acid reflux. The lining in your stomach has had time to heal from constant inflammation and returns to normal.