Avoid taking prescription drugs that your doctor hasn’t prescribed to you. If withdrawal is so uncomfortable that you’re turning to drugs for comfort, you should contact your doctor or a rehab center to discuss medically supervised withdrawal. Alcohol has a way of seeping into various parts of your life, including how you spend time socializing and how you spend time by yourself. One of the most exciting—and sometimes intimidating—parts of becoming sober is discovering who you are without alcohol.
Reach out for support
- With less alcohol in your life, you’re likely to have clearer skin, better sleep, and you may see a boost in your overall mood.
- Exploring, in writing, what you find difficult and when you most want to drink can help you notice patterns that offer more insight into your alcohol use.
- If you taper off alcohol slowly or with medical supervision, the brain has time to adapt without causing severe side effects.
- When you first stop drinking, your body will begin to detoxify itself.
- When people who are dependent on alcohol drink, they feel normal.
By avoiding alcohol, you’re taking a big step toward improving physical health. As you begin to notice those health benefits, you’ll likely feel more energized and inspired to keep up your progress. For those with alcohol use disorder, withdrawal is just the first (but https://ecosoberhouse.com/ very important) step on a long journey to recovery. 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.
Your Skin May Improve
Instead, these are groups of people who have alcohol use disorder. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and other programs. Your peers can offer understanding and advice and help keep you accountable. An important first step is to learn more about alcohol use disorder and your treatment options.
Talk to a medical pro, even (and especially!) if you’re nervous about being honest with them about alcohol.
This is because alcohol can cause depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Drinking alcohol can contribute to a variety of cognitive issues, including poor memory, slow reaction time, impaired impulse control, and poor concentration. Over time, drinking can also damage nerve cells and contribute to a loss of brain volume. “Furthermore, consistent use of alcohol to induce sleep only increases the need to use alcohol in the future to get to sleep,” he explains. Tapering can help you overcome alcohol dependence, which is a side effect of chronic alcohol use that causes cravings and withdrawal. Detox doesn’t treat addiction, which is a disease characterized by compulsive behaviors, such as chronic alcohol use.
If you slip, return to your plan.
People attempting to quit may turn to drinking again to prevent withdrawal symptoms. For people who moderately consume alcohol, tapering off may be a good option. However, quitting cold turkey or tapering is not advisable for people with an AUD. While alcohol is high in calories, and wine, beer, and mixed drinks add sugar to one’s diet, cutting it out may or may not help you lose weight depending on how much alcohol you consume regularly. “You get the best benefit from alcohol when you drink in moderation. Just being dry for 1 month and going back to drinking in excess is a bad idea.
Want to stop harmful drinking? AA versus SMART Recovery
Sunnyside uses a psychology-based approach to help you drink more mindfully, no matter what your goal is. You’ll get a 100% custom plan, then daily texts to track your progress and help you stay on target. Prepare yourself for those times when someone is going to offer you a drink.
Can cutting out alcohol bring about health benefits?
Consult with a licensed mental health professional to further explore AUD. Exploring, in writing, what you find difficult and when you most want to drink can help you notice patterns that offer more insight into your alcohol use. Comparing the emotions that come up when you have a drink with the feelings you experience when abstaining also helps you recognize when drinking doesn’t fix the problems you’re trying to manage.
In the Next Few Weeks
- If you feel like your relationship with alcohol needs an overhaul, you’ve got plenty of company.
- A doctor can assess whether your body can safely manage the withdrawal process or if you’ll need medical monitoring and assistance.
- If you’ve decided to take a break from drinking alcohol, you’re not alone.
When you are detoxing from alcohol at a rehab center, nurses and doctors monitor vital signs, provide adequate nourishment and treat complications if they occur. Nanci Stockwell of Advanced Recovery Systems discusses the risks of detoxing at home and the benefits of detoxing from alcohol and other drugs in a safe environment. Inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities are another effective place to surround yourself with people who will walk you through detox and recovery with no judgment. Eliminating your access to alcohol is crucial, especially in the early days of sobriety.
Practical tips on giving up alcohol
Keep in mind that everyone is different and will experience different things when they stop drinking. After half a year without drinking, you will really start to reap the rewards. Your risk of developing cancer will decrease, and your liver function will have greatly improved.
Dasgupta said the best people to avoid alcohol always are those under 21 years old, and not just for legal reasons. On the other hand, if you drink in moderation, alcohol doesn’t affect LDL and instead increases good How to Stop Drinking cholesterol (HDL). Alcohol can cause problems in relationships, such as conflicts, communication problems, and trust issues. So, giving up alcohol may help you to improve your relationships with friends and family.
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