Another benefit of giving up alcohol is that your mind may be clearer. This is because alcohol can cause changes in brain chemistry, which can lead to cognitive problems. You might notice this effect more if you were drinking to manage your mood, such as drinking to temporarily relieve negative emotions or boost positive ones. Along with anxiety and irritability, you may also experience mood swings when you give up alcohol. If you struggle to sleep, talk to your doctor about solutions that might help. You may also begin to notice a number of improvements in your physical health.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications that can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Vivitrol (naltrexone), Campral (acamprosate), and Antabuse (disulfiram) have been FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder. If you have been drinking heavily and chronically, it is also a good idea to have your detox medically supervised to minimize your risk of potentially dangerous withdrawal complications.
Best for Busy People: Self Recovery
Lean on close friends and family – Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If you’re reluctant to turn to your loved ones because you’ve let them down before, consider going to couples counseling or family therapy. Distance yourself from people who don’t support your efforts to stop drinking or respect the limits you’ve set. This may mean giving up certain friends and social connections.
Within just a month of not drinking, your body can begin to reap the benefits. Your liver can start to heal, your risks of heart disease and cancer go down, and you may begin to sleep better. You may not need to completely reinvent your life to quit drinking, but making a few changes in your surroundings to help avoid alcohol triggers can make a big difference. At a glance, sobriety looks pretty on social media – and relatively simple to achieve. The posts are often accompanied by a white-toothed influencer who is standing on a mountain in a bikini. Quitting drinking can have many important benefits for your physical and mental health, but there are many other types of benefits you may experience as well.
Coping with alcohol withdrawal symptoms safely
Write your drinking goal down and keep it where you will frequently see it, such as on your phone or taped to your refrigerator. Tell trusted family and friends about your plan to quit or cut back on alcohol. When those around you are in the know, it can help them know not to offer you drinks. It may even help if you spend time with other nondrinkers for a while so you can support each other. If you’re reading this, chances are you have wondered about or have concerns about your drinking or that of a loved one.
Here’s What Happens When You Stop Drinking – Vogue
Here’s What Happens When You Stop Drinking.
Posted: Sat, 14 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Minor symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be overcome with rest and at-home remedies, and it is possible for some people to taper off alcohol without supervision. However, individuals who suffer from alcohol addiction require professional rehab. Some people avoid medically supervised rehab because How to Stop Drinking they prefer natural remedies for alcohol withdrawal. Slowly tapering off alcohol is the safest way to naturally overcome alcohol withdrawal, and many at-home remedies can help you cope with mild withdrawal symptoms. However, medical treatment is necessary to treat major symptoms of withdrawal.
Advice For Friends and Family Members
When you’re having a good time, you find it hard to stop, especially in the company of friends having the same amount. Learn more about the health effects of drinking alcohol here. If you’re a heavy drinker, you’re at an increased risk of developing certain diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. However, when you stop drinking, your risk of developing these diseases decreases. Drinking alcohol can contribute to a variety of cognitive issues, including poor memory, slow reaction time, impaired impulse control, and poor concentration.
