As early as one week after stopping alcohol, you will likely begin to see benefits. The physical symptoms of withdrawal will be past their worst for most people, and the benefits of quitting alcohol will start to be noticeable. Whether you’re looking to improve your physical health, mental well-being, or overall quality of life, quitting alcohol can positively impact your life in the long term. Within the first hour of quitting alcohol, your body begins to undergo Sober living house changes.

• But anything more than a drink or so a day has the opposite effect, especially if you abuse or are addicted to alcohol.
• In sobriety, people may seek out new activities like sports, hobbies, or volunteer work.
• For example, damaging your liver is like scratching the back of your hand with your nail constantly until you break the skin.
• There may be some thoughts like “do I really have to do this for 25 more days!?
• New symptoms will develop, including clammy skin, nausea, jumpiness, insomnia, depression and loss of appetite.

This Is What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol

Additionally, your gastrointestinal tract or stomach does not react well to alcohol, so drinking can increase your chance of developing ulcers, which can perforate and cause gastritis. Alcohol can also cause an increase in blood pressure, particularly if you are struggling everyday to detoxify yourself. So along with feeling bad, you are putting yourself at further risk of a cardiac event or a stroke, particularly as you get older.

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline Estimator

The immune system, which alcohol can suppress, starts to regain strength so your body is better at fighting infections. If you have alcohol use disorder and want help, a healthcare provider can guide you to resources and rehabilitation programs to help you quit. Know that your provider will be there to support you, not to judge you. For mild alcohol withdrawal that’s not at risk of worsening, your provider may prescribe carbamazepine or gabapentin to help with symptoms.

6 Days: Stabilization

• Your decision-making process will be clearer, you will be a better problem solver, you will be able to multitask, and your overall mental state will improve.
• Foregoing alcohol can have a major effect on feelings of depression.
• “It’s absolutely vital to find the right facility and support system.
• Whether you’ve recognized that drinking is causing harm to your relationships, your career, or your health, taking the step to stop is a significant milestone.
• After contemplating your future with alcohol, you might also experience stronger than usual alcohol cravings.

When alcohol is no longer part of the diet, the body’s metabolic rate can increase. Weight loss benefits can include reduced risk of diabetes, better sleep, and improved energy levels. A focus on nutrition and exercise aids in maintaining a healthy body weight. According to a recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) survey, two-thirds of U.S. adults report drinking alcohol in the past year, and 52% say they’ve consumed alcohol in the past month.

Thankfully, reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption completely has a plethora of benefits. These benefits range from enhanced interpersonal relationships and job performance to improved mental and physical health. Your doctor will want to know if you have any mild itching, numbness, a pins-and-needles feeling, or burning. Itching is also linked to hallucinations from alcohol withdrawal.

You May Lose Weight

To help you stay safe on your sobriety journey, we have put together a “Quitting Alcohol Timeline” to guide you through potential complications and how to combat them. Physical accidents are also a risk during withdrawal due to impaired coordination and mental confusion. Psychological complications such as severe anxiety and depression may arise, necessitating immediate medical attention. To minimize these risks, it is advised to reduce alcohol intake gradually under a doctor’s supervision rather than stopping abruptly. Quitting heavy drinking suddenly can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms.

Day 11

Keep in mind that everyone is different and will experience different things when they stop drinking. The brain also begins to repair some of the damage and shrinkage you may have experienced while drinking. One study showed that after 6 weeks of abstinence from alcohol, brain volume increases by an average of 2%. The first day is always the hardest, but it’s also an important milestone.

Let’s start at the very beginning, and look at what happens the first day after we quit alcohol. It’s important to remember that they are only temporary and will usually subside within a few days. For individuals with severe alcohol dependence, however, withdrawal symptoms can be more severe and may require medical attention. If physical symptoms last beyond seven days, they will generally be over sometime in the middle of week two. After the intense physical strain of withdrawal, people will often be fatigued. Non-physical symptoms, like cravings and desire for the comfort alcohol provides, may become more noticeable as the distraction of physical symptoms subsides.

Each phase of recovery offers tangible progress in both physical health and mental clarity, making every step toward sobriety a meaningful one. Deciding to quit drinking alcohol is a powerful step toward reclaiming your health and future. Recovery is a journey, and your body undergoes profound changes—some almost immediate, others more gradual. In this blog, what happens when you stop drinking alcohol we explore the quitting alcohol timeline, highlight the alcohol detox process, and explain how long it really takes for your body to heal after alcohol use ends. After a year of sobriety, your body has had time to heal from the effects of alcohol.