You can feel better, decrease your risk of diseases, think more clearly, save money and even improve your relationships. While there are some short-term withdrawal effects, the long-term benefits are well worth the effort. Enjoying alcohol socially in reasonable amounts can boost your mood and help you bond with others. But if you drink alone, or down multiple drinks a day, it could turn into an unhealthy habit. If you can’t control it, it may lead to a condition called alcohol use disorder. Decrease the risk of heart disease In other cases, long-term alcohol exposure can increase a person’s risk of developing a psychiatric illness. The mental health changes you experience when you stop drinking can include symptoms of withdrawal, difficulty sleeping, irritability, mood swings, and clearer thinking. While some of these changes can be uncomfortable for some time, they will eventually begin to improve the longer you abstain from alcohol use. Depending on whether you’re a light or heavy drinker, your strategy around cutting back will be different. “For a light drinker, you don’t really need to taper,” says Dr. Mosquera. If you are thinking about quitting drinking, talk to your healthcare provider. Here are eight things that happen to your body when you teetotal for a month. It also may ease any depression and anxiety and elevate your self-esteem. Alcohol causes inflammation in the lining of your stomach, causing bloat and other digestive issues. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms generally begin within 12–24 hours after your last drink. It becomes overexcited because there’s no more alcohol to slow it down. A Month Without Drinking These first few weeks are critical because they are when the risk of relapse is highest. For people who experience hallucinations as part of alcohol withdrawal, these may begin in the 12- to 24-hour time frame. During the 12- to 24-hour time frame after the last drink, most people will begin to have noticeable symptoms. These may still be mild, or the existing symptoms might increase in severity. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild but annoying to severe and life-threatening. As you eliminate alcohol, which causes dehydration, your body will begin to absorb more water, improving the functioning of every organ, including your skin and your brain. “When you stop drinking alcohol, you restore ADH levels to their natural state, and your kidneys expel the appropriate amount of water.” By retaining water and staying hydrated, your whole body will feel better. While many think drinking alcohol before bed will help them nod off and stay asleep, it’s quite the opposite. Excess alcohol consumption may cause weight gain, which means that cutting out alcohol could lead to weight loss for some people. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to repair connections damaged by alcohol and develop new neural pathways. Cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision making abilities, typically improves substantially. You’ll Get Sick Less Digestive health improves as the stomach lining heals, and energy levels stabilize. Psychological symptoms intensify with increased anxiety, panic attacks, and concentration difficulties. One of the unexpected benefits of giving up alcohol is that you may find yourself more productive than before. This is because alcohol can cause fatigue and decreased motivation, so when you stop drinking, you may find it easier to get things done. One of the surprising side effects of giving up alcohol is that your skin may start to look better. This is because alcohol can cause dehydration, which can lead to dry, dull skin. Alcohol can worsen depression and be an emotional crutch, making it difficult to experience true happiness outside of drinking. This does not mean that a mental health condition will necessarily go aware when you stop drinking but abstaining from alcohol use can improve your symptoms and lead to better treatment outcomes. Some research suggests that even moderate drinking may raise cancer risk. Millions of people join support groups to help stop drinking and stay stopped. Studies show support groups play an instrumental role in helping people develop healthy social networks that result in continued sobriety. 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. Because alcohol deprives your skin of nutrients, when you stop drinking you may notice that your skin has a healthier glow. Alcohol causes you to produce excessive amounts of urine, leading to dehydration. While some studies have not found an association between body mass index and alcohol use, alcohol has some significant effects on the body that can impact your metabolism and ability to lose or maintain weight. Premature skin aging will subside, and if you have dandruff or eczema, they too may disappear. Delirium tremens, aka DTs, can last 3 to 4 days, but can take 8 to 10 days to fully resolve. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction have determined that there is not safe amount of alcohol. One of the financial benefits of giving up alcohol is that you’ll likely have more money to if i stop drinking alcohol what will happen spend. This is because alcohol is a costly habit, so giving it up can free up some extra cash. Mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal treatment In addition, the editor of this article has spent the last 15 years as a health editor, covering all things health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness and adheres to the highest journalistic standards. While these areas may take the greatest hit from regular drinking, they aren’t the only ones affected. Alcohol’s inflammatory properties don’t Sober living house just affect the liver — the stomach can also become inflamed, which, along with the dehydration, can affect digestion and lead to constipation. While your liver and stomach can usually rebound if you stop drinking, with inflammation comes an increased cancer risk over time. The Recovery Village Atlanta offers comprehensive addiction treatment