If you have a history of severe alcohol dependence, he recommends consulting a health care professional before quitting, as abrupt cessation can be life threatening. For those with an alcohol use disorder, there are effective prescription medications that can be helpful when abstaining from alcohol. Research shows that some damage to your brain, liver, heart, and gut done by alcohol will slowly heal when you stop drinking. While it’s true that alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe, they will not last forever.

Mental Health Effects When You Stop Drinking

Quitting alcohol for one month seems like a short time, but a 2015 study found that many people who participate in Dry January continue to drink less six months later. These serious mental and physical symptoms usually show up 2 to 4 hours after your last drink. In these cases, she said that talking with a healthcare provider about taking specific withdrawal medication could be helpful.

• Individuals often witness profound transformations in their physical health, mental well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life.
• Now that you understand the impact of alcohol on your health, embracing a life free from its influence becomes an empowering journey of self-discovery.
• You don’t have to take this journey alone; we are here to help you through each step of the way.
• Quitting alcohol and abstaining for several months to a year gives your brain a chance to try to recover.

Better sleep

Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. what happens when you stop drinking In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. You might run into obstacles along the way that tempt you to drink. Keep in mind the reasons you chose to cut back on or quit alcohol.

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

It’s important to get medical help even if you have mild symptoms of withdrawal, as it’s difficult to predict in the beginning how much worse the symptoms could get. And by taking the decision to stop drinking, you could reduce your risk of developing many serious alcohol-related diseases. Alcohol dehydrates your body, including the skin, and this happens every time you drink.

• Knowing why you drink is essential, says Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, a Virginia therapist specializing in addiction treatment and alcohol moderation.
• Stopping alcohol is worth it, but it can be an uncomfortable and even dangerous experience.
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms generally begin within 12–24 hours after your last drink.
• You may need professional help if you often feel that you have to drink, you get into trouble because of alcohol, or if other people warn you about your drinking habits.
• Alcohol can also trigger the release of chemicals called endorphins and raise levels of the “feel good” hormone dopamine.

While occasional social drinking may not result in significant changes when you decide to quit, you may experience more significant effects if you have been drinking heavily for an extended time. It’s difficult to predict who will and who won’t experience alcohol withdrawal — and how severe it will be. If you stop drinking completely, one of the first things you notice should be improved energy levels, better sleep and finding it easier to wake up in the morning. Whether you are stopping for good, or just having some time off, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the changes you could see.

• Your body can allocate its resources more effectively to fight off infections, making you less prone to common colds, flu and other ailments, she says.
• This typically occurs after five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women.
• Feeling at your best physically can boost resilience and emotional strength, equipping you to weather challenges that trigger the desire to drink.
• What’s most important is looking at your drinking habits and finding a way to cut back that works for you.
• It’s difficult to predict who will and who won’t experience alcohol withdrawal — and how severe it will be.