Quitting drinking is a life-changing decision that is bound to improve your mental and physical health. Even moderate drinkers see benefits when quitting alcohol, such as improved energy, potential weight loss and healthier habits overall. 

Keep in mind that if you are a heavy drinker or you are suffering from an alcohol use disorder, quitting alcohol on your own can be dangerous. Alcohol withdrawal involves intense and sometimes life-threatening symptoms like seizures, hallucinations and delirium tremens. Medical detox will ensure that you detox safely and comfortably. 

Below are the benefits you can expect to see when you remove alcohol from your life. 

Improved Physical Health

Excessive alcohol consumption can take a toll on your vital organs, especially your liver, kidneys and heart. It is also known that even modest alcohol consumption can lead to the development and progression of fatty liver. By quitting drinking, you allow these organs to recover and function optimally. 

Additionally, you can get better sleep when you stop drinking. Alcohol disrupts sleep patterns, and this can have a negative impact on your physical health. Research shows that a lack of sleep increases the risk for obesity, heart disease and infections. Sobriety leads to improved sleep quality, helping you feel more rested and rejuvenated. 

Mental Clarity and Emotional Stability

Since alcohol impairs cognitive functions, it makes it harder to control balance, memory, speech and judgment. Drinking heavily long-term can even cause the neurons to decrease in size, which can negatively impact learning and memory. By quitting alcohol, you can reverse this and improve concentration, memory and overall mental sharpness.

Furthermore, quitting can lead to more stable emotions and an improved overall sense of well-being. This is the case because alcohol is a depressant that can disrupt neurotransmitters in the brain, affecting your thoughts, feelings and behavior. Alcohol also increases GABA activity while decreasing glutamate (an excitatory), causing you to be more inhibited than usual. 

Financial Savings

If you can’t get on board with better physical health and mental clarity, at least consider the financial savings of not drinking. And, you can enjoy this perk right away, as you’ll have more money to put towards more important things in your life, such as traveling or improving your skills. 

You can use this tool to see how much you’ve been spending on alcohol - and it’s probably a lot more than you think. Not only does alcohol itself cost money, but also so does the drinking lifestyle. You may order fast food at night, spend money on bars and nightclubs, call in sick to work or get pulled over for a DUI. 

Enhanced Relationships

Sobriety often leads to better communication in relationships. Plus, when you have clearer thinking and emotional stability, you can maintain healthier interactions with friends and family. As long as you stick to your sobriety, your loved ones will see that you are trying and hopefully welcome you back into their life. This gives you a chance to make amends, rebuild trust and enjoy healthier relationships. 

Long-Term Health Benefits

Quitting drinking is associated with a decreased risk of various diseases, including liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular issues and certain cancers. Adopting a sober lifestyle can also contribute to overall longevity and a higher quality of life in the long run. People hospitalized with alcohol use disorder die 24-48 years earlier than people in the general population. 

Physical Fitness and Weight Management

If you’re trying to lose weight, quitting alcohol may help you reach your goals. Alcohol is calorie-dense, meaning that it’s high in calories and low in nutrition. By cutting out alcohol, you’re removing hundreds of calories from your diet. And, as you start to see the weight come off, it will hopefully prompt you to make other healthy choices. 

Get Help for an Alcohol Use Disorder 

Quitting alcohol is a powerful and positive choice that can lead to numerous benefits across different aspects of life. From improved physical health to enhanced relationships and personal growth, sobriety opens the door to a more fulfilling and rewarding life. To learn more about taking the next steps to recovery, contact Recovery Cove at 484-549-COVE.