George Brown
2nd Jan 2025
2024 is finally here and millions of people are aiming to stick to key resolutions with the hope of achieving self-improvement, including taking part in dry January. After all, following the Christmas period and New Year celebrations, plenty of people are happy to give up the sauce for a while. Not only are the health benefits HUGE, you will also save a massive amount of money by avoiding 10-pint sessions down the pub. In London, that’s easily over £60! But do you actually know what happens to your body once you stop drinking alcohol? To help you understand how beneficial it is to take part in dry January, here’s what you can expect from going cold turkey on booze.
The effects of alcohol
Long-term or heavy drinking can cause serious changes to your body and your brain, including:
Risks of drinking alcohol
- Digestive problems
- Increased risk of cancer
- Heart and cardiovascular issues
- Increase risk of stroke
- Increased risk of depression and anxiety
- Increased risk of liver problems including cirrhosis
- Dementia and other degenerative disorders (also known as “wet brain”)
However, by quitting drinking, starting with dry January, you can reverse many of those symptoms and reestablish good health.
Benefits of giving up alcohol
- The body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals increases
- Metabolism is restored, leading to fat loss
- Energy increases
- Reduced risk of cancer and decreased stress levels
- Lower blood pressure and reduced risk of stroke and heart attack
- Quicker immune response
- Reversal of alcohol-related liver damage
Once more, dry January is the perfect opportunity to begin the year with a health kick, the reasons above should be enough on their own, regardless of what is coming below!
ALCOHOL RECOVERY TIMELINE
How long and how much alcohol you drank will have an effect on the timeline that you experience when you stop drinking.
ACUTE WITHDRAWAL
The first challenge you will face when you stop drinking is acute withdrawal. The symptoms will start as soon as six hours after your last drink.
- Sweating and rise in body temperature
- Raised blood pressure and heart rate
- Shaking or tremors
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
POST-ACUTE WITHDRAWAL
Completely detoxing from alcohol can take up to two months, but once that is done, you will have made it through the most physically challenging part of withdrawal.
During the post-acute withdrawal phase, you will likely begin to experience the psychological effects of not drinking.
Some of the symptoms of this phase include:
- Decrease in energy
- Emotions such as anger and aggression
- Increased anxiety and depression
- Insomnia or nightmares
- Decreased libido
This may also be the time where cravings for alcohol set in.
Each person’s experience with post-acute alcohol withdrawal is different – for some it may only last a few weeks, for some it may be up to a year.
Seeking help from an alcohol addiction rehab will help ease your transition into recovery and treat any underlying conditions you may have.
WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR BODY? A TIMELINE
The following is a timeline of how your body is reacting to the absence of alcohol. Again, not everyone experiences the same thing, this is a general timeline.
12-24 HOURS AFTER QUITTING
During the first day of not drinking, your blood sugar normalises, which is critical for fighting both heart and blood vessel disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, eye problems, and heart disease. You will be feeling the effects of withdrawal at this point, so drink plenty of water and stay away from refined sugars. Try to eat healthy foods like fruit and vegetables.
48 HOURS AFTER QUITTING
In a short amount of time, your body will have made big steps to detoxifying and the biggest hurdle will be over; however, you may feel withdrawal symptoms. You may feel tired, nauseated, and have a headache lingering. Depending on the severity of your alcohol abuse, you may be shaky and dizzy. Your blood pressure could also become more stable and your body temperature should have returned to normal.
72 HOURS AFTER QUITTING
Hopefully, the withdrawal symptoms will begin to ease and you will begin to feel much fresher and lighter as you go about your day. But, if you were a heavy drinker or maintenance drinker (someone who drinks around the clock, never allowing the body to be free of alcohol), then you may feel worse and still have shaking and dizziness.
ONE WEEK AFTER QUITTING
Alcohol can’t be absorbed by the human body, which means it passes straight through without being absorbed like most liquids.
After a night of drinking, the body does not take in water, leading to dehydration and ultimately causing a hangover. However, when you quit alcohol, your body becomes more efficient at absorbing water without having to process the toxins from alcohol. This results in better sleep, increased energy levels, and improved skin hydration, which can help with conditions like dandruff, eczema, and rosacea.
One month after quitting, during and after Dry January, liver fat decreases by about 15%, allowing the liver to better filter toxins. You may notice a reduction in belly fat and significant improvements in your skin. Your energy levels will continue to rise, and seeking emotional support from a 12-step group or addiction therapist is crucial to prevent relapse.
After a year of sobriety, starting with Dry January, you will experience a significant reduction in belly fat and a lower risk of mouth, liver, and breast cancers. Your liver function should return to normal, and your teeth will be less prone to erosion from alcohol. Additionally, your sense of taste will improve.
Choosing a life without alcohol may be challenging, but the physical benefits are worth it. Seeking help from alcohol addiction experts is essential for long-lasting recovery. Establishing healthy coping skills and addressing underlying issues are key to maintaining sobriety. Remember, seeking professional help is crucial if you think you have a problem with alcohol.
Dry January is a popular initiative that can kickstart your journey to sobriety and recovery. Millions of people participate in this pledge every year. If you need advice and resources to make positive changes, the NHS offers free support. Stay committed to your sobriety and seek the help you need to overcome any challenges along the way. following sentence: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The fast brown fox leaped over the sluggish dog.