Researchers have linked alcohol to significant changes in people’s health, both for the better and the worse. It is a depressant that can slow down one’s brain. When someone frequently drinks heavily or over a prolonged period, their brain compensates for alcohol’s depressant effects by producing more stimulating chemicals.
Thus, giving up alcohol, even just for a week or a month, will significantly impact well-being and overall health. You might be interested to know how your body will change if you quit wine, liquor, and beer for a while. Whether it’s for a few days, a week, or a month, it can make a huge difference.
What happens to my body when I stop drinking?
Here are the 12 surprising changes you can expect when you decide to quit alcohol.
1. Your mental health improves
Alcohol is a depressant that commonly upsets brain chemistry, leaving people emotionally imbalanced. For individuals who suffer from a mental health problem such as Major Depressive Order, the immediate effects of alcoholism can be devastating. People with mental health issues are more likely to suffer from addiction. However, quitting alcohol and getting treatments can put people on the right path toward greater self-awareness, clarity, and better mental health.
2. You can lose weight and drop pounds
Alcohol has no nutritional value, and people who drink frequently can consume thousands of extra calories each week. Alcohol makes people more impulsive, increasing their appetite and making them less able to resist food and drinks. Cutting back from drinking can significantly lessen caloric intake, helping people to get into a better shape.
3. You have a lower risk of developing a cancer
Researchers have linked alcohol to numerous cancer types, including bowel cancer, neck cancer, and liver cancer. Although alcohol is not carcinogenic itself, a study from the Medical Research Council of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, generally showed how alcohol causes breakdowns of white blood cells and DNA sequence alterations, increasing cancer incidence.
4. Your brain performance improves
Drinking alcohol takes a toll on cognitive performance. Hence, cutting back on it will lead to improved productivity, better concentration, and an all-around active life. As the brain improves and one rewires essential neural pathways alcohol-free, people can enjoy greater behavioral control and better memory when sober.
5. You can sleep better
While having a few drinks will make people fall asleep faster, it can cause them to wake up in the middle of the night, disrupting their sleep patterns. Quitting alcohol allows people to sleep more deeply and wake up more comfortably the next morning. People feel well-rested, refreshed, and actively ready to start the day.
6. Your digestion improves
Not only does drinking damage the liver and pancreas, but it produces a negative impact on vitamin and nutrient absorption. When someone quits drinking, their body becomes more efficient at removing toxins and using all nutrients it needs to function at its best.
7. Your mood swings lessen
As explained earlier, alcohol alters brain chemistry, causing people to react in extreme ways. Alcohol’s direct link to aggressive behavior contributes to intense conflict, affecting people’s relationships with others. When people are sober, they can enjoy a stable mindset, allowing them to focus more on reason versus harsh emotional responses.
8. Your immune system strengthens
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking alcohol weakens the immune system, making people more vulnerable and prone to diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia. The immune system will get stronger once someone quits excessive drinking habits, increasing their body’s ability to fight infections.
9. You can dodge accidents
Alcohol plays a role in all severe trauma injuries and even sudden deaths. It’s also involved in 4 out of 10 traffic crashes, fatal falls, and even suicides. By simply cutting back on drinking by a third or altogether quit drinking, it lowers the number of sick days and injuries.
10. Your blood pressure tend to low
Drinking alcohol tends to increase blood pressure. People can only bring the numbers back to normal by committing to one thing – giving up alcohol. High blood pressure means reaching 130/80 above.
11. Your skin glows
Alcohol has dehydrating effects on the skin, making skin dull and lifeless. Dullness can give the appearance of a person who is unfocused and constantly tired. Luckily, most of the immediate effects are reversible. After just a week of soberness, the skin will start to look smoother and youthful as inflammation settles down and hydration increases.
12. You develop a greater sense of self-worth
Once someone realizes they have the willpower to give up alcohol, they will slowly develop self-confidence. Being able to control the self and not give in to temptation is an exhilarating feeling that will encourage people.
What happens when you stop drinking for a week?
If someone gives up alcohol for a week, they start wondering what will happen to their body. There are many positive changes they can anticipate over the weeks. After one week without alcohol, sleep becomes noticeably much better. Better sleep comes with several benefits. Improvements appear, like controlling behavior and emotions, becoming more productive, efficiently solving problems, and better decision making.
Giving up alcohol even for a week can also help people be well-hydrated, which is beneficial for the brain. Concentration and mood also become more stable. Even excess weight is easier to manage. If someone gives up consuming six 175 ml glasses of alcohol per week, they can avoid almost 960 calories, equal to 3 burgers.
In the early stages of quitting alcohol, say during the first week, the milestones are tantamount to seemingly small steps, like desiring help. On the brighter side, people start becoming less obsessive about alcohol and can further improve thought processes.
Almost everyone will have moments of helplessness before they finally get better. Still, anyone can move forward with the right support and treatment.
Is it possible to give up alcohol on your own?
Are you becoming concerned about your alcohol intake? Perhaps you feel that you’re drinking too often or too much. Maybe it is a habit that you desperately want to give up. Overcoming an addiction to alcohol is a long and bumpy road. Many times, it might feel impossible, but it is not. If you are ready to stop drinking and okay to get the help you need, you can recover.
You don’t need to wait until you hit rock bottom because you can ask for support and get treatment. You can also start making changes by yourself by setting up goals and following everything cited below.
- Be upfront about your limits
- Make your intentions known
- Get rid of temptations
- Avoid bad influences
- Announce your goals to your friends, family, and co-workers
- Learn from the past
However, if you think you have severe drinking issues, it is practical to look for Alcohol rehab in Simi Valley, CA, and consult a medical professional. At Restore Health and Wellness, we offer addiction treatment programs for specific addiction types. There will be medical professionals who will evaluate your drinking patterns, assess your overall health and diagnose co-occurring disorders. Allow us to discuss how we can help you or anyone you value in the journey towards recovery.
You may visit us at 6918 Owensmouth Ave Canoga Park, CA 91303. You can also give us a call at (818) 405-8656.
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On-Site Contact (818) 806-3914
