Stoptober 2024: What going alcohol-free does to your body

“If you’re a heavy drinker, this is where your liver health starts rebounding,” says Dr. Mosquera. Symptoms can range from headache, elevated blood pressure, heart palpitations, and nausea and vomiting to tremors, hallucination and in severe cases death. Preliminary research supports Dry January’s benefits, from helping reduce people’s blood pressure, weight and insulin resistance to prompting them to reconsider their long-term relationship with alcohol. One study found that, six months after participating in Dry January, 40 percent of participants reported drinking less often and having fewer drinks, whereas 10 percent reported the opposite. The key, according to Seija, is not to do Dry January just to go binge drinking on February 1 but to perhaps find a new drinking pattern that feels comfortable and sustainable.

Physical symptoms will be much better by a week after stopping for most people. Alcohol withdrawal https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ symptoms generally begin within 12–24 hours after your last drink. They will initially be milder, with a headache, tremors and mild anxiety being the first symptoms.

You’ll Consume Fewer Calories

The Jellinek Curve, a tool that outlines signs and symptoms of alcoholism and indicators of addiction and recovery, details some of the other formative milestones people may experience as they get well. Below are some ideas to help people reduce their drinking by alcohol tapering. “Any relative reduction in daily alcohol intake is healthy and headed in the right direction,” explains Lee. You might feel a surge of excitement that you’re so close to achieving your goal of 30 days of sobriety. Journaling can be a great way to document the ups-and-downs, and learn from your past experiences.

• The first day is always the hardest, but it’s also an important milestone.
• Dasgupta said the best people to avoid alcohol always are those under 21 years old, and not just for legal reasons.
• Your healthcare team will help treat each symptom as soon as it develops and equip you for success.
• Over time, drinking can also damage nerve cells and contribute to a loss of brain volume.
• Get help right away if you or a loved one has an alcohol-related seizure.
• Mentally, you’ll likely experience enhanced clarity and concentration as the fog of alcohol’s impact on the brain lifts.

Day 5

On top of that, you’re likely feeling less anxiety and are better able to regulate your emotions when life’s hiccups arise. For many people, this is the beginning of improved quality of life. Have a frank conversation about how much you drink, and let them advise you on the need for a medically supervised detox. You would be surprised how many people fall into this category but risk it anyway and land themselves in the ER. Even with a healthy diet of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables, you might still crave candy and other sugary treats.

What Happens To Your Body When You Don’t Drink Alcohol For A Month

Once the initial symptoms of withdrawal have subsided, you may find that you have more energy than you did before you stopped drinking. This is because alcohol is a depressant, so when it’s sober house no longer in your system, your body has more energy to work with. One of the best things about giving up alcohol is that you may find yourself feeling happier overall.

Foods People Gave Up to Lose Weight

• Planning for social situations where you know there will be alcohol can help you navigate how to respond.
• There are many other stages of recovery after drinking and the timeline for those will be very dependent on the individual.
• If you’ve been drinking for a while, you will probably be surprised by how much being sufficiently hydrated improves your health.
• When skin cells are parched, the face looks dull, dry, tired, and old.
• Westman, J.; Wahlbeck, K.; & et al. “Mortality and life expectancy of people with alcohol use disorder in Denmark, Finland and Sweden.” Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
• Additionally, she manages the Instagram page @LaurenLovesNutrition, where people can receive evidence-based nutrition tips and updates.

When you stop drinking, various things happen to your mind and body. However, the nature and intensity of these effects can vary depending on how much and how frequently you drink. While occasional social drinking may not result in significant changes when you decide to quit, you may experience more significant effects if you have been drinking heavily for an extended time.

Because your liver is connected to your pancreas through biliary ducts, he says, your pancreas will begin to overproduce enzymes and become inflamed, as will your GI system, your esophagus and your stomach. Continual inflammation of the organs, he warns, can eventually lead to them shutting down and then shutting off. Hany says the ethanol from which alcohol is made is a toxin and too much can tax, damage and even destroy your liver cells by causing fat to accumulate. If the damage isn’t too great, though, a month-long break can allow your liver to recover. By the time you finish listening, you’ll have the latest research so that you make the most informed decisions about the role alcohol plays in your life. If you ever feel bloated or have abdominal discomfort after pairing a meal with a glass of wine or beer, you might be able to put at least some of the blame on alcohol.

What Is Sober Curious?

What you might notice is sugar or carb cravings, as your body isn’t getting the empty calories it’s used to getting from booze. “When you stop using alcohol, your sweet tooth still kicks in, so be careful of which foods and beverages you replace it with,” Johnson says. Withdrawal happens because your brain gets used to the depressive effects of alcohol.

It’s completely normal to feel a wide range of symptoms and emotions at the start of 30 days without alcohol. Reaching out to a sobriety community or speaking with a specialized therapist can help you feel supported and encouraged as you begin this rewarding experience. He says, however, if you drink every day, you should consult with a health professional before quitting cold turkey.

If you’ve been drinking heavily or for long periods, the impact will be more pronounced, and it will take longer for your neurotransmitter systems to restore their balance in your body. “Furthermore, consistent use of alcohol to induce sleep only increases the need to use alcohol in the future to get to sleep,” he explains. After half a year without drinking, you will really start to reap the rewards. Your risk of developing cancer will decrease, and your liver function will have greatly improved. Stopping alcohol can seem daunting, especially if you use it frequently or if it is a central part of your social life. You can feel better, decrease your risk of diseases, think more clearly, save money and even improve your relationships.