Try skipping alcohol, especially in the late afternoon and evening, for more restful shut-eye. For example, research shows that people will see their stress levels, relationships, work performance, and self-confidence get better when they get sober. As alcohol is broken down and metabolized by your body, toxins get released. Some will eventually get broken down into less harmful compounds, but your body’s ability to process these substances is limited. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.

Zinnia Health Can Help With Alcohol Addiction

Again, if you or a loved one is experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, dial 911. If you have any symptoms of severe withdrawal, you are experiencing a medical emergency that can be fatal. He or she will likely prescribe a benzodiazepine that will calm down your hyperactive brain, prevent seizures and help to restore normal blood pressure. A person who suffers from mild withdrawal symptoms and escalates their drinking is likely to experience moderate withdrawal symptoms in the future. The initial contact points — mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach 9 healthy things that happen to your body when you stop drinking for 30 days or more — are most vulnerable, which is why these areas show some of the strongest links to alcohol-related cancers. But you don’t have to wait for a designated month to take a break from alcohol.

Lower Your Blood Pressure

It has articles on every topic imaginable related to quitting drinking and is continuously updated. You may have problems with digestion for up to a year after quitting drinking, but this will improve over time. In most cases, after a year of sobriety, non-heavy drinkers can expect their liver enzymes to return to normal levels.

Nutrition

• Here’s a breakdown of the changes you can expect as the days and weeks progress, backed by science.
• What’s most important is to look at your drinking habits and find a way to cut back that works for you.
• These progressed to mild withdrawal symptoms when my tolerance increased in college.
• In most cases, after a year of sobriety, non-heavy drinkers can expect their liver enzymes to return to normal levels.
• But anything more than a drink or so a day has the opposite effect, especially if you abuse or are addicted to alcohol.

Finding a therapist can also be a great starting point if you’re uncomfortable opening up to your healthcare professional. At the end of the day, one of the most important tools you have at your disposal is self-compassion. Instead of criticizing yourself for having a hard time or slipping up and having a drink, remember that no one’s perfect. What matters most is your ability to maintain an open, curious outlook as you learn what does and doesn’t work for you. Satisfying hobbies can distract you from wanting to drink, but they also help you relax — something everyone needs to do.

Signs Your Liver Is Healing From Alcohol

The improvement in your immune function can contribute to overall better health and a reduced likelihood of catching common colds or other infections. According to the National Cancer Institute, alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk for cancers of the mouth, liver, colon, and rectum. Bumping up our vitamin C intake, washing our hands and getting quality sleep are all tried-and-true ways to help us stay cold and flu-free (although nothing is guaranteed). But less-known is that drinking too much alcohol isn’t doing our immune system any favors and can actually reduce how well it functions.

You’ll lose weight.

• According to a recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) survey, two-thirds of U.S. adults report drinking alcohol in the past year, and 52% say they’ve consumed alcohol in the past month.
• Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
• And do your best to avoid or minimize exposure to these triggers—at least while you’re adjusting to a not-drinking period.
• People who are severely dependent on alcohol have often been drinking large amounts daily for many months or years.
• While some studies have not found an association between body mass index and alcohol use, alcohol has some significant effects on the body that can impact your metabolism and ability to lose or maintain weight.

Alcohol raises blood pressure, which can strain your heart muscle and lead to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, binge drinking can cause heart palpitations, which further increases the risk of cardiovascular complications. By quitting alcohol for 30 days, you may notice a drastic improvement in your skin’s appearance. Better hydration, more balanced hormones, and reduced inflammation can all contribute to a clearer complexion. You might even find that your skin has a natural, healthy glow that was hidden underneath the effects of alcohol. By eliminating alcohol consumption for 30 days, you can easily reduce your overall calorie intake, which may lead to weight loss, improved body composition, and a healthier overall lifestyle.

Research shows that drinking large amounts of alcohol before bedtime leads to decreased sleep onset and disrupted, poor quality sleep later in the night. “I would suggest cutting back on several things rather than completely eliminating to avoid feeling deprived, which can lead to rebound eating/drinking and weight regain,” she said. However, if you’re banking on a month-long break from alcohol to help you lose weight, Kumar said it’s not your best bet. Brittany Burke Robert, the author of this article, has written about health for Oprah Daily, Well+Good, Livestrong, Reebok and other publications and digital brands for over 15 years. She has extensive experience working alongside clinicians and providers to create physical and mental well-being content that’s useful, informative, and clinically effective.

When you look and feel your best, you’re in a position to use your well-earned pride as a powerful weapon against relapse. Years ago, I successfully used epsom salt baths, contrast showers, diet changes and exercise to begin dry periods that would last a week or two. Due to kindling, I’ve experienced almost every symptom listed in all of the stages of withdrawal above. Alcohol is a depressant that mimics GABA, which is the primary “inhibitory” or calming neurotransmitter in our brains. The alcoholic brain decreases its long-term GABA production because it has learned to rely on alcohol for the same effect.

Better Nutrition

Binge drinking can lead to consuming an extra 600 calories or more in a day. Excessive drinking can lead to the build-up of toxic, highly cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds that contribute to inflammation in your body, especially in your liver. One of the most profound ways that alcohol affects you is through what it does to your body. After you drink alcohol, Volpicelli explains that the small molecules inside it get absorbed by your gut. From there, they travel to other parts of your body and affect organ systems, including the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems, along the way.

With that said, the following chart is a general snapshot of the withdrawal timeline. In the following sections I will clarify and expand upon this timeline. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. Unfortunately, cravings persist for most people during the second week. But don’t give in to temptation, as your recovery journey is just getting started. Mocktails and so-called zero-proof beverages are growing commonplace on menus as more people opt to follow a “sober curious” or strictly teetotal lifestyle.

“People often describe to me that they now realize how much the alcohol altered their behavior and relationships. They are more introspective taking a break from alcohol about their alcohol use,” Larson said. “We came to a realization that we were drinking way too often and way too much,” says Zaleski.

“Taking a break from drinking alcohol—even if it’s just for a couple of weeks—is a good idea, especially if you’re regularly consuming more than the recommended daily limit,” Dr. Raskin says. Quitting alcohol for a month offers a mental and physical reset that can have surprisingly far-reaching benefits. Here’s a look at what happens to your body when you stop drinking for 30 days.