What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking? Side Effects & Benefits

Please keep in mind that symptoms may vary in severity, and you may not experience the full list below. It’s vital what happens if you stop drinking alcohol you speak with your treatment team before you stop drinking so that potentially dangerous symptoms can be avoided. If symptoms start to develop, seek medical assistance immediately. When you stop drinking, you might notice a range of physical, emotional, or mental health symptoms that ease as soon as you have a drink.

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline: How Long Does It Last?

The first step is a thorough assessment to understand your medical history, alcohol use patterns, and any co-existing mental or physical health issues. From this, a personalized detox plan is crafted, tailored specifically to meet your needs. Alcohol dependence, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is defined by a loss of control over drinking habits1, leading to a need for alcohol and compulsive drinking. Not only will you have marijuana addiction more money, but you’ll also have a lot more time to spend on the things that you love doing. This newfound free time can be disorienting for some people after they quit drinking because they might actually feel bored, and this can be a risk if cravings come back. Taking some time now to think about and write down what you’ll use your extra money and time for when you stop drinking will set you up for success later.

Medications to Ease Withdrawal Symptoms

“There are people who have learned to practice very reasonable alcohol consumption that contributes to psychosocial well-being in a way that does not impair their health,” Kumar noted. Some research suggests that even moderate drinking may raise cancer risk. “The bottom line is, protect the heart with a low amount of alcohol, but increase the risk of cardiovascular disease with high amount of alcohol,” Dasgupta said. Other studies, such as this one from 2022, have found similar results, showing no health benefits of consuming alcohol in moderation for people under 40, only risks. It is worth mentioning that nutritional status improvement occurs when someone strop drinking, which is one big reason why people may see many of the above improvements with sobriety.

Finding treatment for alcohol use disorder

• Without alcohol interfering with the body’s absorption processes, you may be more inclined to reach for water and nutrient-rich foods, contributing to overall well-being.
• During detox, medical professionals may provide medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent serious complications.
• While two weeks is not a long amount of time, my patients often are already starting to eat healthier, see their metabolism improve, and experience some weight loss after quitting alcohol.

This is alcohol withdrawal, and it causes uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms. The more you drink on a regular basis, the more you’re likely to be affected by withdrawal symptoms. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) advice is​ to drink ​no ​more than 14 units a week. The link between alcohol and mental health can be complex though, especially for people who have experienced trauma.

• By the third week without drinking, you’ll have improved memory and cognition!
• Lauren is an award-winning registered dietitian, author of three books and all-around lover of good food.
• At this point, your risk of developing all types of disease will be reduced and your bone density will start to increase.
• Many individuals report a reduction in anxiety and stress, and they experience greater emotional stability.
• Unstable vital signs increase the risk of complications and can be managed with medications.
• She said that patients who survive and make an effort to avoid alcohol can still improve liver function, even though the healing could take months.

“You may notice an increase in mental clarity and memory, since alcohol use can impact concentration and memory,” he explains. 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. There has been some research conducted on how abstaining from alcohol detoxifies your liver over time. “Nutrition optimization is actually the most evidence-based and most important intervention aside from stopping drinking,” points out Dr. Lindenmeyer.

• Whether it’s a pint in the pub, the casual glasses of wine, or cocktails out with friends, it’s often a big part of our social lives that we just don’t want to give up.
• Often our skin improves as a result of cutting alcohol out of our lives, including fewer bags under our eyes.
• You might toss and turn at first, but give up alcohol and the sleep you get will likely leave you feeling more refreshed and sharp the next day.
• If you drink every day or nearly every day, check with your GP before you stop drinking as you might feel worse before you feel better and need medical support.