Whether you identify as an alcoholic or a casual drinker, alcohol can have a significant negative impact on your health. This is why more and more people are choosing to go cold turkey for the sake of their well-being. If you’re considering going sober but need a little more convincing, we’ve got you covered. Here are 19 things that will happen when you stop drinking alcohol.
Improved Sleep Quality
As noted by the Sleep Foundation, alcohol is known to have a negative impact on the quality and duration of your sleep. Avid drinkers may notice that they wake up several times throughout the night or feel groggy in the morning. When you stop drinking, your deep sleep stage will be longer, and you’ll feel more alert and refreshed when you wake up.
Enhanced Mental Clarity
Alcohol can have a depressant effect and cause issues with memory, concentration, and brain fog. Going sober can improve all of these common side effects, enhancing your mental clarity and potentially improving mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Weight Loss and Improved Metabolism
Alcoholic beverages are often surprisingly high in empty calories. So it’s natural that cutting your alcohol intake will also help you lose weight. Moreover, your metabolism may improve without the alcohol impacting your liver, which can further aid with weight loss.
Increased Hydration and Better Skin Health
According to the National Library of Medicine, alcohol is a diuretic that increases your risk of dehydration. Therefore, if you stop drinking alcohol, you’re more likely to stay hydrated and have healthier, clearer skin as a result.
Lower Risk of Chronic Diseases
A high alcohol intake comes with an increased risk of many liver diseases, such as hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis, as well as some types of cancer. Therefore, cutting back on alcohol can decrease your risk of chronic diseases and improve your overall well-being.
Increased Energy Levels
We all know what it’s like to feel hungover, lethargic, and dehydrated after a night of drinking. When you’re not weighed down by the depressant, dehydrating, and tiring effects of alcohol, you’ll naturally feel much more energetic and motivated.
Better Digestive Health
Another negative side effect of alcohol is that it irritates your stomach lining, sometimes causing bloating, digestive discomfort, and nutrient absorption issues. Limiting your consumption of alcohol can quickly improve most of these issues.
Improved Heart Health
Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact your blood pressure and put you at risk of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias. Going sober can help mitigate these risks and stabilize your blood pressure, reducing the strain on your heart.
Strengthened Immune System
Did you know that alcohol has immunosuppressive effects? This means that drinking too much alcohol can suppress your immune system’s effectiveness, while going sober can improve your body’s ability to fight off infections and other illnesses.
Enhanced Sexual and Reproductive Health
For men, alcohol can cause issues with testosterone levels, libido, and sexual performance. Female drinkers may be at risk of fertility issues and pregnancy complications. Cutting out alcohol can improve all of these problems by bringing your hormones back into balance and enhancing your reproductive health.
More Stable Mood and Emotional Well-being
Alcohol intake can lead to mood swings, irritability, and other emotional issues. Sobering up can help combat these problems by stabilizing your mood and improving your overall emotional well-being. This may also help you improve your relationships and interactions with others.
Recovery of Liver Function
As stated by the NHS, alcohol can significantly damage your liver, reduce its functionality, and cause liver disease. When you stop drinking alcohol, the liver will begin to repair itself and improve its function, enhancing your ability to detoxify your body and potentially reverse liver disease.
Reduction in Alcohol Cravings
Alcohol cravings can be a huge issue for people who become addicted. However, you may be relieved to know that the psychological and physical cravings for alcohol will decrease as you start to cut back, making the process easier over time.
Better Financial Health
Alcohol can be surprisingly expensive, especially when we opt for pricey brands or consume in excess. Being drunk can also cause you to make worse financial decisions. When you go sober, you’ll have more money and mental clarity to go after the things that truly matter to you.
Restoration of Taste and Smell
Another strange effect of alcohol is that it can worsen your sense of taste and smell. As such, cutting back on alcohol can lead to a more acute and refined sense of taste and smell, helping you improve your enjoyment of food and pleasant scents.
Enhanced Physical Appearance
Alcohol can cause puffiness around the face and bloating, as well as skin, hair, and nail issues. Going sober will reduce bloating issues and help you achieve healthier skin, hair, eyes, and nails. This is largely because alcohol can inhibit your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and stay hydrated.
Improved Relationships and Social Life
As mentioned earlier, alcohol can have a significant negative impact on your mental health and social functioning. As such, quitting alcohol can help your relationships feel healthier and more meaningful, as well as enhance your mutual sense of trust and reliability.
Revitalized Nutritional Status
Alcohol can interfere with your body’s absorption of important vitamins and nutrients. When you stop drinking, you will be better able to absorb these nutrients and nourish your body, leading to a better overall sense of well-being.
Strengthened Muscular and Skeletal Health
Finally, if you stop drinking alcohol, you can look forward to improved muscle recovery, bone density, and a lower risk of osteoporosis. This is because alcohol can impede your protein synthesis, hormonal balance, and bone quality.