Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks, is generally referred to as “alcohol.” It can have powerful effects on your mental state. Some people drink small amounts at a time, while others tend to binge drink. The truth is that the health effects of alcohol vary between individuals and may depend on the amount and type of alcohol consumed. At first, changes in your relationship with alcohol might seem scary or uncomfortable.
You’ll Lower Your Risk of Several Cancers
So it’s natural to wonder — or worry about — whether you can enjoy or even handle life without a drink. You may also question whether you need to stop drinking completely. I’ve always loved exercise, playing any sport I could and lifting weights since I was a teen.
The Benefits of Quitting Alcohol
If you’ve been trying to get to and maintain a weight that supports your health, quitting alcohol can help you meet that goal. Moderate drinking is defined as at most one standard drink per day for women and at most two for men, while heavy drinking is defined as more than three drinks per day for women and four for men (80). If you are drinking alcohol every day and notice unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when you are not drinking, please do not stop drinking suddenly. It’s important you make contact with your local treatment service to arrange a safe, medically supervised detox. Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help.
- From there, you may need social support, consistent self-care, and new routines that can help redirect your mind.
- Research shows that most people believe that drinking can make them feel better.
- Hany says that once you stop drinking, you may initially find it more difficult to fall asleep.
SMART Recovery
Making the conscious decision to quit drinking alcohol is a great first step toward healthy sober living. Whether you’ve been drinking for years or a few months, stopping alcohol use will help you face life’s ups and downs with a clearer mind and provide many physical and mental health benefits. Below are 25 reasons to give you the motivation to stop drinking alcohol. You might have to learn new, healthier habits and develop new coping skills. You might realize you don’t like some of your old friends or activities now that you’re sober.
A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. Given how many variables there are, it is hard to define an “average” drinker.
- You are the person who is in the best position to make the decision of whether to cut down or quit.
- That said, consuming high amounts does not provide greater health benefits.
- Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.
Symptoms can range from headache, elevated blood pressure, heart palpitations, and nausea and vomiting to tremors, hallucination and in severe cases death. On the other hand, alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are linked to severe negative effects on both physical and mental health. Keep in mind that your cancer risk may increase — regardless of how much you are drinking. 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. This can lead to symptoms including anxiety, insomnia and irritability, and in more serious cases, hallucinations, seizures and potentially death.
Addiction
Look for activities to replace the time you would normally spend drinking. This can include pursuing new hobbies, health habits, and friendships. You are the person who is in the best position to make the decision of whether to cut down or quit. If you can consistently drink one or two drinks and no more, then you may be able to cut down to a low-risk drinking pattern. But if you find that those first two drinks usually trigger an urge for more and you rarely drink only two, chances are moderation is not an option. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, alcohol should be consumed in moderation — up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
It may even help if you spend time with other nondrinkers for a while so you can support each other. There’s a reason you’ve reached the decision to quit or cut back. Whether it’s improved relationships, better health, or weight loss, keeping the “why” in sight can help boost your motivation.
Timeline for Quitting Alcohol
Alcohol raises cortisol levels in your brain that increase stress. Ironically, the negative emotions you may have wanted to initially suppress when you drink may become heightened. But when you stop going back to drinking after being sober using alcohol, you’ll find yourself being motivated and your mood will stabilize. If you already have high blood pressure or hypertension, you might be well served to stop drinking. According to the American Heart Association, as you age, even one drink a day could raise your blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Alcohol dependence can make it harder to think or remember things.
Dr. Dasgupta said for social and moderate drinkers, participating in a month break won’t make much difference to their bodies. However, for people who exceed recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, he said staying away from alcohol for a month can reap changes. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that alcohol should be consumed in moderation — up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Because alcohol deprives your skin of nutrients, when you stop drinking you may notice that your skin has a healthier glow. You’ll also see fewer wrinkles, less puffiness and an elimination of red blotches.