Benefits of Quitting Alcohol: What Happens When You Stop Drinking?

Cravings can make alcohol addiction recovery challenging, but some remedies and medications can help stop alcohol cravings.

If you’re trying to stop drinking or recovering from alcohol addiction, cravings can make it difficult to avoid relapse. While you should seek medical treatment if you’re experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, there are remedies to manage your alcohol cravings at home. 

There are many benefits of not drinking alcohol, including reducing your risk of dangerous diseases like liver failure and cancer.

If you stop drinking, you’ll notice long-term health benefits and feel better in the long run. You’ll also reduce your risk of dangerous diseases like liver failure, cancer and dementia. In the short term, however, you will have to get through the unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms of withdrawal. The work of successfully stopping alcohol will ultimately lead to a healthier life.

Negative Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol has many potentially harmful effects. Some happen over prolonged periods, while others can occur with a single drinking episode. 

Negative effects of alcohol can include:

• Injuries, such as from car accidents or falls
• Alcohol poisoning 
• Pregnancy complications
• Heart problems — including high blood pressure and heart disease
• Neurological problems, such as stroke, dementia, brain inflammation and memory problems
• Immune system suppression
• Liver problems — including hepatitis and cirrhosis
• Mental health problems — including depression, anxiety and suicidality
• Kidney injury

Timeline for Quitting Alcohol

When quitting alcohol, withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur if you drink regularly. The symptoms of quitting alcohol are relatively predictable but will differ for everyone.

The First 24 Hours

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms manifest when alcohol levels in the blood drop significantly below their normal levels. This generally occurs 6–12 hours after your last drink. Initial symptoms will be mild, gradually increasing in intensity. Headache and anxiety are the most likely symptoms within 24 hours of alcohol withdrawal.

36 Hours

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms will be in the process of intensifying 36 hours after your last drink. Existing symptoms will be worsening, with new symptoms developing throughout this time. Symptoms like tremors, nausea, sweaty and clammy skin, fever and others may develop.

48–72 Hours

Withdrawal symptoms will peak within 48–72 hours after your last drink. This is the most difficult and dangerous part of alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms like seizures may occur, and an uncommon but deadly effect of alcohol withdrawal called delirium tremens may occur in this part of the timeframe.

3-7 Days

Following the peak of withdrawal symptoms, the unpleasant effects of withdrawal will begin to subside. They will gradually lessen in intensity, with the symptoms dropping off one by one. After about a week to 10 days, the physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal should be completely gone.

2 Weeks

After the physical symptoms of withdrawal are over, you may begin to feel more clear-headed and focused. You will also feel more rested as your sleep becomes more restorative. You may, however, experience some psychological symptoms and cravings for alcohol that could continue for several weeks or months.

What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking?

When you stop drinking alcohol, there are many positive effects on your body. Some of these are things you’ll see pretty quickly. Others are diseases that you’ll never see that you would have if you kept drinking. Some of the benefits of stopping alcohol include:

• No more hangovers
• Better sleep and more energy
• Feeling more focused and clear-headed
• Healthier and better-looking skin
• Weight loss
• Lower blood pressure
• Decreased risk of heart disease
• Reduced risk of liver disease
• Improved sexual performance
• Improved gut health
• Lower risk of cancer

The type and degree of benefit will differ for each person, but almost everyone will see several health benefits when they stop using alcohol.

Quitting Alcohol Safely

Alcohol causes the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms of any substance. Because alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures and even fatal symptoms, consulting a doctor is very important when stopping alcohol. 

Quitting alcohol and avoiding relapse can be difficult; however, there are some things that you can do to help you stay sober. Tips for stopping alcohol include:

• Staying busy: This can help distract you from cravings and help you avoid downtime where using alcohol could be a temptation.
• Finding a support network: Having a person or group to be accountable to and to support you during recovery can be invaluable.
• Meditate: Practicing mindfulness can help you better manage cravings and avoid relapsing.
• Stay away from triggers: Avoiding people, places or situations where you used to drink can help you avoid relapsing.
• Enroll in rehab: Using alcohol long-term can create a psychological dependence on the comfort and emotional escape that it gives. Rehab helps you learn how to manage cravings and deal with the psychological needs you are used to addressing with alcohol.

Get Professional Help to Stop Drinking 

Quitting alcohol is hard and, during withdrawal, quite dangerous. Getting professional help not only makes quitting alcohol safer but also makes the entire experience more comfortable, enjoyable and successful. 

Professional treatment will provide medications to offset dangerous and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. A professional treatment program will also support you after medical detox, helping you build on your early wins and maintain the sobriety that you endured withdrawal to obtain. Ultimately, professional treatment will empower you to stop drinking and keep from drinking in the future.

At The Recovery Village Ridgefield, we have helped many people struggling to stop alcohol. Our professional treatment programs not only help you through the unpleasantness of withdrawal but also equip you with the tools and support you need to maintain a life free from the grip of alcoholism. Contact a Recovery Advocate today to start the journey to lasting freedom from alcohol addiction!