If you’re a heavy drinker or someone with a history of alcohol dependence, always consult with a medical professional before quitting. While your body will have adjusted after a week of not drinking, what happens when you stop drinking there may be psychological effects of detox that last longer. Some people report feelings of anger and aggression, general anxiety and depression, nightmares and difficulty sleeping, and even decreased libido. This is in part because alcohol use affects neurotransmitters that are implicated in mood, such as serotonin. There may also be underlying issues for which alcohol has been used to self-medicate.
Get support
Caffeine is a stimulant, so it’s likely you’ll experience a little dip in energy for at least a few days when you first quit coffee or soda. Several side effects of caffeine withdrawal include reduced alertness and activeness, drowsiness and feeling foggy, so you may want to brace yourself before quitting for good, per the National Library of Medicine. It may be worth cutting back little by little to lessen your chance of experiencing these unpleasant side effects. This could look like ordering a half-caf latte for a few days, then mixing three parts decaf with one part regular coffee for the next few days before finally ridding of it for good.
Lifelong and Long-Term Impacts of Quitting Drinking
Let’s go through the timeline of what happens when you stop drinking, sectioned into simple, bite-sized chunks. Alcohol affects many parts of your body, and letting go of it altogether can make a big difference for your risk of multiple health conditions and overall wellness. You may also find that you have an increased sensitivity to the taste of sweet food and drinks after quitting, as caffeine interferes with the tasting of sweet substances. Alcohol Change UK says, women who drink between 14 and 35 units of alcohol per week, have a 15% chance of developing breast cancer, compared to an 11% chance for those who don’t drink. It says men who drink up to 14 units of alcohol per week have a less than 1% chance of developing colorectal cancer, but an 11% chance if they drink more than 35 units per week. Research suggests any amount of alcohol consumption increases the risks of cancer of the mouth, voice box, upper throat, oesophagus and breast.
Health risks that improve after one year of not drinking alcohol include:
- He is the co-chair of the LA County Department of Health Services HIV Best Practices Committee and member of the LA County Department of Health Services Substance Use Disorder work group.
- So while you may have a hard time falling asleep at first when you stop drinking, you’ll be more refreshed the next day.
- Reducing or eliminating caffeine might also cure heartburn and indigestion.
But once you fall into slumber, it can wake you up repeatedly in the night. Plus, it disrupts the important REM stage of sleep and may interfere with your breathing. Try skipping alcohol, especially in the late afternoon and evening, for more restful shut-eye. But anything more than a drink or so a day has the opposite effect, especially if you abuse or are addicted to alcohol. A glass of regular beer has about 150 calories, and a serving of wine has about 120.
Quitting Alcohol Timeline: What to Expect in Weeks 1-3
Journaling is a powerful tool to uncover your reasons for drinking, understand old patterns, and work through how to change them. The first step has led you here to understand what you can expect and how long it will take to get alcohol out of your system, past the cravings, and into a better life. These effects will subside as your body adjusts to the absence of alcohol. Keep a journal or use an app like Drink Control or Drink Aware to track your alcohol-free days and celebrate small wins along the way. If you don’t already have other hobbies or interests, now is a perfect time to get some!
Dealing with Cravings
By seeking professional help and connecting with a compassionate, supportive community, you can increase your chances of experiencing long-term recovery. Here at Long Island Interventions, we believe that the best addiction treatments are tailored to the needs of each individual client. If you’re ready to discover a life free from alcohol, we are here to help you get started. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive detox and recovery programs. If you meet the criteria for heavy drinking for five or more days per month, you are considered a heavy drinker.
And balanced hormones like testosterone and estrogen can naturally lead to an increase in sexual desire and performance. “Cutting out and abstaining from alcohol can recover a substantial portion of liver function,” Wirtz says. “When we stop drinking, we can begin to repair some of the long-term effects of alcohol use.”
Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Caffeine
They should also monitor their progress and keep a journal to track their reactions to quitting. Additionally, they should focus on their goals and establish a plan that will keep them on track. From weight loss to better alcohol rehab sleep, the long-term and short-term side effects can be noticeable.
“Alcohol can reduce your sexual sensitivity, meaning that you enjoy sex less, and it can interfere with a man’s performance, so that sex becomes difficult,” Dr Sim says. “For both men and women, alcohol can reduce your fertility. So, particularly if you are both heavy drinkers, it may be more difficult to conceive. By going sober, these problems are reversed.” “I never really thought about the consequences until I turned 18 and started going to clubs every weekend,” she says. With the support of her boyfriend, she decided to stop drinking alcohol completely to see if it improved her health and wellbeing. With the absence of alcohol’s empty calories, it’s possible that weight loss becomes more achievable. Additionally, your cardiovascular system benefits, as blood pressure stabilises, and the risk of heart-related issues decreases.