What Happens To Your Body When You Quit Drinking Alcohol
Aug 23, 2023What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol
For people who drink pretty regularly, the process of alcohol withdrawal can be long and unpleasant. It can start immediately after sobering up, some six hours after the last alcohol intake. Usually, sweating, insomnia, nausea, and headache are the first symptoms.
Many heavy drinkers experience vomiting, shaky hands, and anxiety as well.
Withdrawal Is A B*tch!
In worst cases, these symptoms are followed by hallucinations and delirium tremens. Sometimes, the body temperature and blood pressure both rise.
You probably won’t feel anything worse than fatigue if you drink in moderation.
We feel physically sick during these first hours of alcohol withdrawal because the body is rapidly healing and trying to restore balance. Alcohol works as a depressant on the brain, affecting the way neurons communicate with each other. Withdrawal reverses that.
Even without drinking too often, drinking too much initiates a vicious cycle of continuous tiredness. Even though getting drunk may help us fall asleep faster, which is why many people accept the challenge in the first place, alcohol can’t help us sleep better.
Sleep and Alcohol
Alcohol hampers average hormone production in the human body and decreases melatonin. Melatonin is responsible for maintaining a healthy sleep cycle by alarming us when we feel tired and waking us when we’ve had enough rest.
Without a proper amount of melatonin in our system, sleep quality suffers.
Poor sleep means drowsiness during the day. Since the body cannot recover from toxins usually, everything feels slowed down and exhausting. Achieving usual productivity seems almost impossible, not to mention tackling complex problems.
Of course, all this struggle goes away when you stop drinking.
With quality sleep, your body can reset during the night and return to its 100% in the morning.
Another side effect of having a good night’s sleep instead of a drunken slumber is waking up without any headache. Any amount of alcohol will slow the brain down, causing some damage in the process. In excessive consumers, this damage can be severe.
Memory and Alcohol
In many cases, the results are memory loss and decreased focus.
However, regular alcohol consumption may mean irreversible brain damage for underaged drinkers. The brain doesn’t fully mature until we reach age 25, making excessive consumption during college years hazardous for brain development.
You'll start feeling the difference if you practice restraint for a few weeks. Your brain will work faster, focusing will take less time and effort, and you won’t get tired as often.
Research shows people who drink are more likely to develop mental health problems.
Alcohol affects several processes in our brain, the most important of which are neural interactions, information processing, and inhibition control. Because of this, we feel more relaxed, confident, and happy while drinking; until the effects wear off.
But after sobering up, we usually feel worse than before.
Patience Is Required
On top of everything else, most heavy drinkers also struggle with regret.
In addition to that, the neural damage caused by alcohol makes fighting off depression and anxiety even harder. To feel strong, confident, and happy, the brain needs the hormonal balance that alcohol disrupts.
Alcohol can make us feel better only temporarily.
Quitting can return some balance to the system and restore a sense of control.
In many cases, this is enough for a person to feel good.
Besides the brain, the liver is the first major organ to suffer from regular alcohol consumption.
Alcohol and The Liver
The liver is responsible for cleansing the human body of all types of toxins that we expose ourselves to daily. Other toxins will pile up if the liver is preoccupied with metabolizing ethanol. Eventually, the liver itself will suffer as well.
One toxin too many means a higher probability of infection and inflammation.
Even moderate drinkers are more prone to common colds and viruses. In addition to poisoning the body, alcohol also causes dehydration. The immune system and defense mechanisms cannot function properly without enough water.
These systems will get back in place the moment you stop drinking.
And finally, abstinence will help you achieve the desired appearance.
What Happens To Your Body When You Quit Drinking Alcohol
Only two glasses of wine are enough to exceed the daily sugar intake, which is also the recommended daily limit for male drinkers. If you drink in moderation, you will still add weight.
And since alcohol is a toxin that robs you of a good night’s sleep, it will also speed up the formation of free radicals under your skin and, by extension, accelerate premature aging.
Whichever we look at it, drinking alcohol is bad for our health. Calling it quits will make you feel better and rejuvenated, more confident, and happier in the long run.
A New Dawn in the Battle Against Alcohol
Every story begins with a moment, and ours was sparked by one man's dedication to ending the stranglehold alcohol had on so many lives. At The Stop Drinking Expert, our passion is to create a world where people can rediscover themselves without the haze of excessive alcohol consumption. Where every individual can live a life of clarity, purpose, and joy.
Our commitment is not just about helping people quit alcohol but to empower them to lead a life that's worth living. Alcohol doesn’t define us, and it shouldn't limit our potential. With every success story, we witness a rebirth, a transformation from despair to hope.
The Visionary Behind Our Mission
Craig Beck, the driving force behind The Stop Drinking Expert, is not just an advocate but an embodiment of this transformation. Having been through the treacherous journey himself, he brings firsthand experience, empathy, and unmatched expertise to the table. Craig is the acclaimed author of "Alcohol Lied To Me" and has illuminated the path to sobriety for over 250,000 individuals across the globe.
His methods are tried and tested and revolutionary, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges and solutions in the fight against alcohol dependency. With his guidance, many have not only left alcohol behind but have also begun to embrace a life of abundance, health, and happiness.
Empowering You with Resources
Knowledge is power. And to aid your journey, we've created a reservoir of resources. One of our crown jewels is our free quit drinking webinar available every day. It is meticulously designed to offer insights, strategies, and inspiration for those determined to bid adieu to their drinking habits.
From understanding the deep-rooted triggers to combating cravings and envisioning a life of sobriety, this webinar has helped countless individuals set foot on the path to recovery. And this is just a glimpse of what we offer. Our website is a haven for those seeking knowledge, help, or a community that understands and supports their journey.
A Legacy of Trust and Transformation
The journey of every individual who decides to quit alcohol is unique. However, the challenges, doubts, and fears faced are often universal. At The Stop Drinking Expert, we've made it our mission to address these challenges head-on, offering solutions that are practical, holistic, and transformative.
Our success is not measured by the number of people we reach, but by the depth of transformation we witness in each life. As we march forward, our vision remains steadfast – to create a world where everyone has the freedom to choose a life without alcohol's constraints.
Discover More with Us
To further your understanding, to find guidance, or to simply become a part of a community that champions sobriety, we invite you to explore some of our key resources:
- How to Stop Drinking Alcohol
- Alcohol Rehabilitation
- Quitting Drinking
- How to Stay Sober
- Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
- Is Alcoholism a Disease?
- Signs of a Drinking Problem
- Alcohol and Depression
Sources:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/a/alcohol-and-mental-health
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