What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

So, what happens when you stop drinking? If you choose to quit drinking, it’s important to understand the changes that may occur.

Sticking to a structured timeline or plan can help you stay strong during this process. It will also allow you to see the benefits of overcoming alcohol addiction, known as alcohol use disorder. Drinking alcohol, whether occasionally or regularly, can affect both your physical and mental health.

What Happens in Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

After you stop drinking, the effects on your body vary based on your usual consumption levels. Within a few hours of your last drink, your body begins to process and eliminate the remaining alcohol.

Taking a break from alcohol can help the body recover from the negative effects of drinking. This break allows the body to heal both physically and mentally.

Abstaining from drinking can alleviate short-term health problems caused by alcohol. When people stop drinking alcohol for a few weeks, they may see improvements in their health. These improvements may be things they didn’t realize were caused by drinking. People who drink socially and decide to stop see benefits quickly.

Those who have been dependent on alcohol for a long time may take longer to see benefits. Long-term alcohol dependents may experience stronger cravings and more damage; thus, their recovery may be slower. Long-term alcohol dependents may have stronger cravings and more damage, so their recovery may take longer.

Taking breaks from alcohol, such as during “Dry January” or “Sober October,” only brings benefits if alcohol is avoided permanently. If alcohol is consumed again, these benefits disappear. Once they start drinking again, these benefits go away. Only those who permanently stop drinking alcohol can fully experience the long-term advantages of sobriety.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal often emerges as the first reaction upon ceasing alcohol consumption, potentially beginning just a few hours after the final alcoholic beverage. Withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person. The amount, frequency of alcohol consumption, and level of alcohol dependence influence the symptoms.

As a result, people who drink a lot may have worse withdrawal symptoms than those who only drink a little.

After you stop drinking alcohol, you may start feeling symptoms of alcohol withdrawal within the first 12 to 24 hours, including:

• Feeling sick
• Throwing up
• Migraine
• Perspiration
• Interrupted sleep
• Desire for alcohol
• Bodily discomfort and soreness
• Limbs that are cold, colorless, or lack sensation
• Decreased vitality
• Trouble concentrating
• Shivering
• Irregular breathing

People who are physically dependent on alcohol undergo a condition known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). AWS is significantly more severe and potentially dangerous than the mild withdrawal symptoms or hangovers experienced by occasional drinkers.

The first 1 to 3 days of alcohol withdrawal can be difficult for heavy drinkers. This is because there is a higher chance of experiencing severe symptoms and delirium tremens (DTs). Delirium tremens can lead to major changes in the body and mind. These changes may include alterations in blood pressure, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, loss of consciousness, and potentially death.

Due to the potentially life-threatening nature of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in people with severe alcohol addiction, medically supervised detox is often necessary to ensure their safety. This is followed by addiction treatment to help prevent relapse and address possible long-term complications.

Benefits of Stopping Drinking for a Week

After not drinking alcohol for a week, you may still experience withdrawal symptoms. You may also notice some lingering unpleasant effects. However, there may also be signs of improvement.

When you quit drinking alcohol, you may not notice significant changes in the first week. This is because your body is still adjusting to not having alcohol. This change is similar to stepping on land after being on a boat for weeks. Both the body and mind require time to adapt.

The benefits of abstaining from alcohol for a week include:

• Better quality of sleep
• Revived or bettered hunger
• Improved mental sharpness
• Enhanced fluid intake

You might experience a decrease in energy or exhibit abrupt mood fluctuations and mental health problems, which can encompass heightened feelings of anxiety or depression.

Benefits of Stopping Drinking for 2 Weeks

After two weeks, most people will start to feel better. This is because physical withdrawal symptoms decrease. They also begin to see the benefits of not drinking alcohol.

The advantages of refraining from alcohol for a fortnight including:

• Normalization of blood sugar levels
• Shedding of weight
• Alleviation of indigestion and acid reflux symptoms
• Decrease in liver fat

During recovery, mental health problems may become more obvious without alcohol masking them. The brain is still healing from the damage caused by alcohol. Some people might find medication-assisted treatment (MAT) beneficial for managing these mental health disorders.

Benefits of Stopping Drinking for 30 Days

After 30 days without alcohol, the benefits start to become evident both to yourself and to others. Your body is recovering from alcohol’s effects. Healthy habits are becoming a regular part of your routine.

The advantages of abstaining from alcohol for a month may include:

• Boosted liver wellness
• Bettered blood flow
• Lowered hypertension
• Improved cholesterol ratios
• Normalized sleep patterns
• More radiant and clear complexion
• Enhanced mental performance and recall
• Balanced emotional states
• Heightened vitality

Some people may still have post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). PAWS includes symptoms like anxiety, emotional outbursts, and cravings for alcohol.

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) has a benefit. It allows professionals to observe its effects. They can work together to create strategies for managing symptoms in the future. This happens during addiction treatment.

Benefits of Stopping Drinking for 3 Months

When you stop drinking alcohol for three months, you will see clear benefits in your body, mind, and social life. The discomfort experienced in the short term proves worthwhile for the long-term benefits of sobriety.

The advantages of abstaining from alcohol for a quarter of a year include:

• Boosted strength of the immune system
• Heightened mental sharpness
• Elevated levels of energy
• Enhanced memory function
• Superior overall bodily health
• Bettered relationships with others
• Additional leisure time and expendable income
• Heightened self-worth and self-assurance
• Decreased likelihood of cancer, stroke, and heart disease

Three months of recovery is a significant achievement. However, it’s crucial to remember that maintaining recovery demands an active, daily effort to prevent relapse.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Should you or someone close to you be grappling with the consequences of heavy drinking patterns and feel incapable of stopping independently, efficient addiction therapy is accessible. At White Oak Recovery Center, we recognize that people battling alcohol use disorder (AUD) require organized assistance and direction to attain sobriety and lead a purposeful life in recovery.

At WORC, our facility provides medical detox on-site to keep you safe and healthy during withdrawal. We provide 24-hour medical care and supervision. Our amenities, including chef-catered meals tailored to specific dietary needs, assist in restoring your physical strength. Our evidence-based treatments equip you with the skills necessary to prevent relapse.

Start your journey to recovery today. Reach out now to speak with one of our compassionate and supportive treatment specialists.