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Given that alcohol is so ubiquitous in our culture, some people drink out of habit and haven’t taken the time to take note of its effects. Alcohol can worsen depression and be an emotional crutch, making it difficult to experience true happiness outside of drinking. Stopping what is Oxford House alcohol can make you feel happier by allowing you to experience positive emotions without alcohol. Quitting alcohol can help reduce the depression and anxiety that alcohol can bring and significantly improve your situation in life, increasing your overall happiness.
What are the long-term health benefits of not drinking alcohol?
- “When you stop using alcohol, it really benefits your overall mental health.”
- If you are struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
- If you’re an otherwise healthy person, Dr. Galligan says it should take your immune system just a few weeks to bounce back.
- Cultural expectations often link celebrations and milestones with alcohol consumption.
- Just being dry for 1 month and going back to drinking in excess is a bad idea.
Saving the money you would have spent on alcohol will provide you $300–$400 or more by this second week. New benefits will also become noticeable as you put withdrawal behind you. Research shows that drinking large amounts of alcohol before bedtime leads to decreased sleep onset and disrupted, poor quality sleep later in the night. Whether you’re cutting back, taking a break, or going all-in on a booze-free lifestyle, it’s about discovering how great life can feel with less alcohol in your world. A drink diary can be an eye-opener, revealing patterns you might not have noticed.
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Ending your dependence on alcohol isn’t easy, but this guide can help to make it achievable, along with having the right support systems in place. Emotional stability may also improve as your body continues to adjust. You might find that irritability decreases and your overall mood begins to stabilize.
Long-Term Benefits of Quitting Alcohol
- Alcohol can cause inflammation and damage to your liver when used heavily over prolonged periods.
- Get therapy and medical care—just $25 with insurance, no hidden fees— for alcohol recovery, depression, everyday illnesses, and more.
- This is when you’re working hard to not drink, but one day give in and have a glass of wine or two, then give up on your goals altogether.
- The effects of high-quality sleep will continue to build each day.
By taking the decision to stop drinking, you could reduce your risk of developing many serious alcohol-related diseases. Here are some of the improvements you could see from cutting out alcohol, in the short- and long-term. But first, if you think you may be dependent on alcohol, you should consult your doctor or another Oxford House medical professional. There are many health benefits if you cut out alcohol completely. It can also be helpful to focus on activities that don’t usually involve alcohol. Encourage your friends to meet up in the morning for breakfast, for example, or suggest healthy activities where alcohol is less likely to be present.
If you weren’t drinking much before you cut it out entirely, it’s unlikely that you’ll see a difference, but it’s still worth mentioning here. Drinking heavily could make it tough for your liver and pancreas to work well—both of which are essential for your metabolism, Dr. Galligan says. So if you were drinking enough to mess with these processes, your metabolism could start to work more efficiently within a few weeks of going sober. Tell close friends or family about your decision to quit alcohol so they can help hold you accountable.
Dry January: How a break from alcohol affects your health
Late-night snacking after drinks and junk food binges when you’re hungover can also lead to weight gain. If you’re trying to lose weight, cutting back on alcohol will help. Taking a break from alcohol or cutting down is one of the best things you can do for your health. “I have found kombucha to be an effective tool in transitioning off nightly nightcaps,” says Koskinen. Alcohol can cloud your judgment and impair cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and problem-solving. When you stop drinking for 90 days, many of these mental fogs start to lift, and you may find it easier to focus, make decisions, and manage your daily tasks.
- One study found an association between participation in Dry January and reductions in drinking days and number of drinks as well as greater confidence in the ability to refuse drinks.
- From the empty calories, to the extra snacking or hangover foods, drinking each weekend always kept me stalling in feeling my best physically.
- You’re laughing with friends, telling stories, and soaking up the moment, without needing alcohol to feel confident or comfortable.
Relying on intention and willpower to stop drinking, even for a short period, is not usually enough. Resisting temptation takes up a lot of brain power and eventually your brain gets tired and gives in. Over time, reducing or eliminating alcohol intake can have major effects on the body. In “basically every place that alcohol touches, we’re going to see improvements in health,” Witkiewitz said.
Weight Loss and Appetite Changes
In contrast, sleep after drinking is like battling the sea in a tiny rowboat during a hurricane. Alcohol does a number on sleep, and taking a break can really restore your patterns and quality, though be patient, it can take a few weeks. If your vacation from alcohol is temporary, proceed with caution when you start drinking again. “Even moderate drinkers who stop drinking for two months tend to overdrink when they start again,” Dr. Koob says. Nobody really knows why, he says, but it seems to be some kind of overcompensation for the time you lost.