6 Major Changes You’ll Notice In Your Body When You Quit Alcohol

Do you drink daily? If the answer is yes, oops! You might be in trouble. It is universally and medically proven that drinking regularly on a daily basis is unhealthy and can lead to severe health issues.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “ Drinking alcohol is associated with risks of developing non-communicable diseases such as liver diseases, heart diseases, and different types of cancers, as well as mental health and behavioural conditions such as depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorders.”

Thinking about ditching alcohol for a month or quitting for good? Educate yourself on these six major changes you'll notice in your body when you quit drinking, to keep your spirits high and motivated for a successful journey to sobriety.

Sound sleep

While many of us may assume that a good dose of alcohol helps with a night of sound sleep, the reality is quite the opposite. “Alcohol acts as a sedative that interacts with several neurotransmitter systems important in the regulation of sleep. Acute administration of large amounts of alcohol before sleep leads to decreased sleep onset latency and changes in sleep architecture early in the night, when blood alcohol levels are high, with subsequent disrupted, poor quality sleep later in the night,” confirms the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Clear skin

When you stop drinking alcohol or reduce your intake of alcohol consumption, you'll notice a drastic change in your skin within a month of quitting alcohol. Agape Treatment Center states, “Your skin will begin to look younger and healthier within a few weeks of stopping drinking and may seem less pale and tired looking in as little as a few days. Over time, the collagen will return to your skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. If you’ve developed liver spots, these may fade over time".  

Boost brain

According to the NCBI, excessive alcohol use can interfere with the brain's ability to form lasting memories. It explains, “Alcohol primarily interferes with the ability to form new long-term memories, leaving intact previously established long-term memories and the ability to keep new information active in memory for brief periods. As the amount of alcohol consumed increases, so does the magnitude of the memory impairments.

Hence, when you quit alcohol, you start recovering brain volume within a month of sobriety for many, although it depends on person to person. Ardu Recovery Center states, “After a year without alcohol, people typically experience a recovery of brain volume, particularly in areas responsible for cognitive function and memory. This recovery contributes to better motor skills, improved cognitive abilities, and more rational decision-making.”

Decrease the risk of heart disease

Heavy and long-term alcohol use can increase the risk of heart disease. Quitting alcohol, including red wine or other strong drinks reduces this risk. People with arrhythmia are especially more prone to developing heart disease.

The British Heart Foundation states, “When you stop drinking or reduce the amount you drink, you’ll see a rapid improvement in your blood pressure - you should see a reduction within a few days).

Natural recovery of liver

According to a 2021 study, “Even after years of heavy alcohol use, the liver has a remarkable regenerative capacity and, following alcohol removal, can recover a significant portion of its original mass and function.”

Weight loss

Alcohol is high in calories and can increase appetite, leading to impulsive eating and resulting in weight gain. When you quit drinking, you may notice the numbers on the scale going down as you can easily track your diet.