What happens when you stop drinking alcohol?
If you’re drinking too much and want to quit, you might first find yourself asking, “What happens when you stop drinking?” There are a number of positive things that you’re likely to notice when you do – from physical changes to improvements in your relationships and work habits.
Your overall health will improve.
Drinking puts a lot of strain on your body, from your brain to your heart to your liver, and you may have already noticed some side-effects of this. Excessive amounts of alcohol will interfere with the way your brain works, increase blood pressure, damage your heart, and put dangerous pressure on the liver. Drinking too much can also weaken your overall immune system, making you more likely to suffer from viruses or contract infections.
What happens when you stop drinking: Overall, you’ll feel much better physically. Once you give your body a break from dealing with alcohol, it will have time to return to its normal functions and focus on keeping you healthy and happy.
You will lose weight.
There are a lot of calories in alcohol, so if you drink too much regularly then you are likely to put on significant amounts of weight.
What happens when you stop drinking: If you cut down on alcohol and replace it with water or other low-calorie options, then you’ll probably start to see a new, slimmer you very quickly.
You will sleep better.
Alcohol interferes with your sleep patterns, making it more difficult for you to fall asleep at night. Even when you do manage to doze off, you’ll find it harder to stay in a deep sleep if you’ve been drinking. Research has shown that lacking in sleep over a long period of time can put you at risk of depression, breathing problems, and heart disorders.
What happens when you stop drinking: You’ll find it much easier to get a good night’s sleep, which experts agree is essential to anyone’s good health and well-being.
You will get along better with family and friends.
As mentioned above, alcohol affects your brain in a way that can make you feel withdrawn and unfriendly. When you’re drunk, you also lose your inhibitions and are more likely to become aggressive or confrontational. You might start to find that your relationships suffer as a result, as friends, family, and partners find it hard to deal with your mood-swings.
What happens when you stop drinking: After the alcohol has left your system and you’ve had a chance to recover, your moods will stabilise and improve, and your relationships will become less strained.
Giving Up Alcohol at Home
Learn how to control your drinking in the privacy of your own home without going to AA or expensive counseling with the Give Up Alcohol Course.
Note: if you suffer from severe alcohol dependence, rather than simply feeling that you drink too much, giving up alcohol on your own can be dangerous. Suddenly quitting heavy drinking habits can lead to harmful side-effects such as seizures. If you are worried, please consult your doctor before beginning any recovery plans on your own.