We Quit Alcohol for a Year, Here’s What Happened
Alcohol has a significant impact on your life. It can negatively affect your health, relationships, and responsibilities.
Years of alcoholism can significantly affect your body, especially if you drink heavily. Fortunately, it is possible to quit drinking.
There are various short- and long-term benefits of quitting drinking. You may notice changes when you quit or reduce your alcohol consumption. You can even notice positive changes within a month.
Here are some benefits that can occur when you stop drinking alcohol:
- More energy
- Better sleep
- Improved productivity and increased focus
- Decreased risk of alcohol-related illnesses
- Decreased risk of alcohol-related mental health issues
- Improved health and immune system
- Possible weight loss
- No more hangover effects
- Improvements to memory and mood
- Healthier skin
- Alcohol withdrawal refers to the changes your body goes through when you stop drinking after a prolonged period or after heavy alcohol use.5
- People with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and heavy drinkers may experience alcohol withdrawal when they quit drinking.
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms peak in about 48 hours. They should start to improve as the body adjusts to being without alcohol. This usually takes 3 to 7 days.
- Tremors typically start within the first 5 to 10 hours after your last alcoholic drink. They peak around 24 to 48 hours.
- They may or may not be accompanied by:
- A fast heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- An increase in blood pressure
- Sweating
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Other symptoms
- https://www.addictiongroup.org/blog/what-happens-stop-drinking/