What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking? Health Benefits and Changes Explained

Quitting alcohol can trigger withdrawal symptoms within 8 hours of a person’s last drink, which can be severe if they are a heavy drinker and stop drinking abruptly without medical What Happens to the Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol guidance. However, the body quickly starts the recovery process and begins repairing damage caused by alcohol in multiple areas of the body and brain. For one, studies have found that drinking can cause abnormalities in the amygdala, the brain region that regulates negative emotions, and those changes may impair how people respond to stress. Because cutting out alcohol can improve sleep, it may also lower your risk of developing a mental health condition. Nevertheless, people who have AUD should take extra care before suddenly quitting or significantly decreasing their intake as they can experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. This is where the central nervous system becomes so reliant on the depressive effects of alcohol that, when a patient stops drinking, their brain stays in a “hyperactive” state.

• The first day is always the hardest, but it’s also an important milestone.
• But knowledge is power, and to help set expectations, I’ll be sharing some common experiences I’ve seen with my recovery coaching clients, and in my own sobriety journey.

The first weeks

We’ll cover the challenging moments and the incredible benefits, drawing on common experiences (while remembering everyone’s journey is unique). After seven days of not drinking alcohol, most withdrawal symptoms should be gone for moderate drinkers. For those who do not drink heavily, this period often brings noticeable improvements.

Mental and Emotional Health Changes

While these areas may take the greatest hit from regular drinking, they aren’t the only ones affected. Alcohol’s inflammatory properties don’t just affect the liver — the stomach can also become inflamed, which, along with the dehydration, can affect digestion and lead to constipation. While your liver and stomach can usually rebound if you stop drinking, with inflammation comes an increased cancer risk over time. The Recovery Village Atlanta offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. By the end of your first month of sobriety, the benefits of better sleep, improved hydration, spending less and decreased calorie intake will be growing.

What are the benefits of 40 days without alcohol?

Your gut microbiome also starts to rebalance, helping with nutrient absorption which can positively affect everything from your concentration levels to skin health. One of the unexpected benefits of giving up alcohol is that you may find yourself more productive than before. This is because alcohol can cause fatigue and decreased motivation, so when you stop drinking, you may find it easier to get things Oxford House done. One of the surprising side effects of giving up alcohol is that your skin may start to look better.

Day 13

• Yet, the changes that unfold during this time can be profoundly encouraging.
• If having a drink after work was part of your routine, it may help to create a new ritual in the evening, such as taking a walk or creating a mocktail at home.

However, when you quit drinking alcohol, anxiety levels tend to go down, confidence increases, and the overall mental quality of life improves. Alcohol misuse can significantly impact every major organ in the body. Long-term drinking affects liver https://ecosober.com/ function, brain activity, cardiovascular health, digestion, immune response, and even skin appearance. Alcohol abuse also increases the risk of mental health disorders, chronic illnesses, and accidents. A severe case of alcohol withdrawal can lead to complications, some of which can be life-threatening. To prevent this, your doctor may suggest a treatment program where you stay overnight.