First week horrific withdrawals but now sleep has drastically improved, BP had dropped and eating habits have improved. Last February we lost power do to a harsh freeze for a few days. More creative on many levels. This is similar to possible weight loss. Thinking about how the BP numbers hang around in a higher range than they used to and how long I have to sit to get a measurement that was remotely good. I think giving up drinking is an incredibly hard choice to make (until youve got no other option). My sleep is better albeit very vivid dreams and I did lose weight with and increase in exercise, close to 20 pounds since I stopped drinking. I never thought I could quit but I did it! Brilliant description Elizabeth ! Today is day 76. And don't worry about offending others while saying no. At 3 months AF, I have almost nothing but positive things to say. I am a believer in Christ Jesus have always had a personal relationship with my savior and I finally asked the LORD, why cant I stop drinking and why do I enjoy it when I actually want to quit? Its not a hard no forever, but right now Im thinking 2 years is a good number to shoot for. After retiring at 58 I celebrated for two years in which 3-5 glasses turned into 2 bottles and a joint per day. This last week was my first attempt to get help and now Im waiting for my counseling and doctor appointments. I like my ability to act and think with clear intention. 2020. It matters that you did. ~ Cassandra Clare. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Im 65; my bad drinking habits go all the way back to when I started college. Slowly, the sober life made sense and the desire to drink & use faded some. "Most likely, people who care about you will be supportive and encourage your efforts to stay sober," says Kennedy. Im 1 month and Ill quit with the ice cream but my chocolate has thc so.. Thank you to the HSM team it helped to talk and be free. This is your achievement and you have deserved it. It slowly started sinking in, and I asked Jesus to help me stop drinking. But this helps me remember it took me 1 year to become a 1 handle of vodka a day morning to night everyday no rest. I drink a lot more water. This happens when you start to feel that now that you have taken six months over you have achieved everything and there is nothing more for you to learn. I seem to have so much more time. My health was at high risk for stroke or heart attack. We had zoom meetings with family every Thursday, and wed all toast to each other at the end. I had my last sip November 30th. One of the financial benefits of giving up alcohol is that you'll likely have more money to spend. You'll also likely experience less headaches, which can be brought on by dehydration from drinking. Sleep is something I had trouble with, no more. !The Holy Spirit revealed to me that I was feeding my flesh that can never be satisfied. Im inspired to start again. (Think ~$6/bottle). Check out the supportive community on our Daybreak app or get some health coaching support to encourage you along this path. I dont miss alcohol at all even when Im around others who are drinking. Your risk of developing cancer will decrease, and your liver function will have greatly improved. I urge anyone trying to stop drinking to stick at it. I wish every one of you the bliss I am feeling now knowing i dont have cancer. Take care. Im back to my ideal weight and body fat and almost full strength despite some neuropathy. I dont sleep well. Plus, the high levels of salt and sugar content in alcoholic beverages may trigger the hormone IGF-1, which causes an over-production of oil in your skin (hi, pimples!). The changes have be amazing cognitively, emotionally and physically and I am grateful every day. Thank you everybody for your posts. However, I stopped weightlifting during the end of my drinking days. 3. WebResetting your body, or detoxing from alcohol, typically takes three to five days. Im 4 months and counting. Im a professional musician, and my performing has taken a huge leap upwards. Ive been a heavy drinker since probably the age of 17. My biggest concern is I dont know if I can ever go back to just social drinking. A serious accident and surgery caused by my drinking was the decision maker for me. Looking forward to extending the streak into 2022 God willing. [Updated 2021 Nov 13]. For the last six months, fitness influencer Mike Thurston has been abstaining from alcohol in order to see what effect it had on his performance in the gym, his health, Short tempered. And once you become adapted to it, as your body adapts to everything, you will be unstoppable. Im 118 lbs. For people who have experienced weight gain due to drinking excess alcohol, weight loss may be part of the AF (alcohol-free) experience. To Sandy Im 10 days in too , not as confident as you sound but giving it a good shot . I suppose over the last few years Ive drunk most days. Im going to keep travelling this path. Things I normally wouldnt spend the money on but since I wasnt buying alcohol I was saving money. Zero weight loss, more of weight gain. Hey there, I am now 75 days in and feel a l lot better in general. Ive been a heavy drinker 30+ years. I feel edgy and moody. Im conscious that if I dont take action now I never will. My sleep is already better. Alcohol is full of sugar or carbohydrates that turn into sugar. Ive lost 60 lbs in 3 months of no alcohol. BTW, the TIME I have now! Go dance, have the conversations and recall everything the next day without the hangover. How serious your withdrawal symptoms are depends on how much, how long, and how often you imbibein addition to genetic factors. Its a difficult journey, I wont lie but oh my god, the feeling I have when asked what I want to drink and to be able to say with a sense of belief in myself that I actually DONT drink any more. I had a huge drinking problem, started off drinking on weekends with friends, turned into week days, then every day, most days I would sit there watching t.v or playing video games until I couldnt see the screen anymore. I was really bothered by how much space it was taking up in my life even though I was functional I knew it was negatively affecting me. And yes, THE CHOCOLATE consumption was through the roof! About 2 years ago I relayed my query to my GP and he told me to not take it so seriously. Stop drinking gets your senses back (especially smell and taste). Have slipped back but Thankyou for the reminder of the benefits. Ive now been off the sauce for couple weeks, I feel great. Improvements. I exercise 3 times a week. I feel worse now than when I was drinking. What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol? The choices we make regarding our physical and mental health impact our long-term wellbeing. Hello SM. I knew I had to quit or would die soon. I stopped drinking in October last year. I sat down at a machine in a Safeway and just measured right away no waiting. Many of the benefits listed above such as improved memory and ability to focus and concentrate, will continue. I did fall over and could not get up without help and massive effort, even two weeks after. Anam AK, Insogna K. Update on Osteoporosis Screening and Management. Good luck xxx. I dont think I can or want to quit entirely but I dont want this running away from me either and end up doing something stupid that has life long consequences. I have found a new love for excersize. and may take longer to resolve. Berens says. I still wake up with that bitter morning after boozy smell and taste. Thanks for this article. As time passes by you will notice healthy changes in your emotions, and with the help of therapy and counseling youll feel less and less depressed and mood swings. Life is beautiful without alcohol. WOW hallelujah moment. Some studies have shown that upping your alcohol intake over time may put you at risk for long-term weight gain, though more research is needed on this. I love myself more, Im Relationships are healthier, friends are closer (those that stayed and supported rather than the ones that judged and left). Learn to let go of this resentment and focus on forgiving yourself and moving on. I have been sober for 30 days. These comments are indeed relatable!! Something has to change because Im dependent on it. The last one put me in the hospital for 6 days. Im glad I found this comments section. Over the covid year things spiraled quickly for me. You might think now that I have been six months sober, what happens next? That overall sluggishness and lack of sleep that come from alcohol may contribute to consuming more calories and weight gain, research published in Nutrition and Diabetes shows. Quick disclaimer here everyones experience is their own. I am a everyday drinker for sleep. This is because alcohol is a depressant, so when it's no longer in your system, your body has more energy to work with. Your sleep quality should continue to improve, and this (amongst other benefits) should provide an improvement to your overall health. No changes. Its never worth it to get someone help if they didnt ask for it but if you do, plenty doors open up. Ive hit 6 months AF. Im 55. Metabolic age 45. My greatest pleasure these days is tea! Today is 8 months free. Overwhelming smugness is another side effect which I have to keep in check. I was big drinker to one day I ended up in ae with liver damage cirrhosis of the liver not 7mouths on never drink again yes I was give 2 hours to live I no I got to have transplant to keep me going but these young and old people think alcohol is fun tell u some thing alcohol is silent killer get u try to detox I think rubbish strong minded people can took me lots of pray and will power cause ant not nice cold turkey so listen to someone whose been there. After on and off attempts at going AF, Im now feeling confident that I will remain AF for the rest of my life. <126\<78 To find out more about how we use cookies, see our, After 3 months, your liver will continue to experience that relief as mentioned above. I feel so much better too. If someone is in the habit of drinking consistently, especially an athlete, this leads to dehydration and depletion of certain necessary vitamins and minerals as a result, as well as sluggishness because youre not getting the hydration your body needs, says Linzy Ziegelbaum, RD, CDN, the founder of LNZ nutrition. I feel great but have some struggles still. Making the decision to not have alcohol as a major component in my life has been, I think, a bit of a revolution! . Hopefully, youve started to experience some of those benefits from the 1 month list and its ok if it took a little longer than a month to notice them. Its personal, private, and powerful. Thanks for your post, it was informative. As I lay in bed now, life is looking good, Im feeling positive, only I can screw this up. Thank you for sharing. Ok so Ive posted many times about my road. Id subsist on veggies and tofu in an attempt to make up for my late-night habits. It is a way to thank them for being supportive and it has a new take on your relationships! As you go on staying sober for longer terms it will affect your brain positively. well done bro, you beat me by 14 days. Do it. Im now doing them more regularly, before I quit altogether. Im a health care worker. Inflammatory issues such as arthritic hands & feet feel Better nutrition, more consistent workouts. I mean, Im of Swiss decent so naturally I eat chocolate every day but not THAT MUCH. Kidneys and liver function tests are normal. My skin is better and eyes clearer, Ive lost a lot of weight. If I had known it was doing this to me I would have quit years ago (am 23 for those who are wondering). One handle a day. I am 3 months and 26 days AF and have never felt better! Almost had that habit changing first drink many times didnt and always reminded my self in the morning the power of discipline. I quite for 4 years when I stopped smoking so that I wouldnt have a weak moment. Seeing the struggles and challenges faced by other people will remind you how far youve come, how miserable being addicted felt like and why you need to only go forward. Ive been doing this for years and I really want to stop. So true. It is interesting, reading so many success stories! He was doing really good. I woke up a new person. Next its the 60 pounds I gained since 2016 My family and friends tell me I look healthier now. I stopped binge drinking 5 weeks ago. I was having 1 to 2 drinks a night. Sleep is amazing, health is amazing, and I am down 27 lbs. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 55(4), pp.433-438. That i gained in lockdown from covid and my energy is over the top. New roommate with his own addiction issues. Sugar cravings insane, NO good sleep, headaches, BUT I realise Ibhavd to be patient, Ive been drinking for loooong. You only live once. A bottle a night of red wine slowly became almost 2 bottles everyday. Im not a heavy drinker. Once the full 12 months is up I am really looking forward to cracking that Westmalle Tripel and enjoying the beautiful taste. Im 6ft 1 and was 59kg when I was in hospital due to drinking. First alcohol consumption in almost 4 months. It activates premature ageing, causes appetite loss and you will notice a quick weight loss. Not even a week after my final days as a college freshman, I went on a family vacation. That said the benefits I have experienced are unfathomable, to me atleast. All of this means that taking a break from booze could help you better fight off any seasonal illnesses. I have been sober for a month now. Occasionally, I just awkwardly sipped it because I didnt want to say no and have to explain why. Would this be deemed a bit improvement in consumption. Keep on everybody, we can do this!! Im only 2 months in AF but so thankful to God for helping me with this new life. Its been since Feb.11 2021 since I had a drink. I started drinking at age 15. I will not be going back to the old ways. For more details, see our Privacy Policy. Great job though! Journal of alcohol and drug education. Want to loose another 12 lbs and wont drink alcohol until at least Sept 1st. I think that was my rock bottom and I knew my life needed to change immediately. When I said that craving sweets was the only drawback, that was an oversimplification. . When I quit I didnt set a time frame but more of an open goal. 6. I had gone carefree for two years until my PCP had concern about my liver studies. I stopped Monday as soon as i knew what i was doing to my body, it is something i have needed to do for years but i guess i just needed that reality check. By not drinking for 3 months, the levels of your white blood cells rise, which reduces the risk of getting sick. I didnt crave anything except red wine (I used this as part of my denial that I even had a problem). Your social anxiety might peak in this time. What happens for one person may not be your experience. I just would like some encouragement and would like to know if anyone still had trouble thinking straight. Timeline: What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol? Ive known for years my relationship with alcahol was mostly one sided, it took more than it gave me resulting in horrific hangovers, depression, sleep deprivation and a feeling of disgust that I was allowing this to control me, my free time and most importantly my childrens lives. I have gone AF for a month or two previously and one time I went 3 months. I have lost 15 pounds and I now get more of a reward from knowing Im healthier and the cravings have subsided. I was even testing normal for quite awhile until the last week and I think Im trending down again. When will i feel my happy self again ? Hi. Then, after drinking plenty of empty calories, I fed my booze-fueled cravings with whatever I could get my hands onanything from bags of chips to Ben and Jerrys. Two things that makes me stay sober, 1. Smugness has been another feature and Im not ashamed of that and the longer I abstain the more it will grow and I dont apologise for that. May be worth finding a good naturopath to get things in order. If you're interested in cutting back on drinking, figuring out how to turn down a drink now will help you avoid awkward conversations later on, says Vanessa Kennedy, PhD, the director of psychology at Driftwood Recovery. Alan completed a postgraduate degree in social work from Columbia University in New York City and is a licensed clinical social worker in FL, NJ, NC and SC. I was an every day drinker for about 13 years! ( weights.. squats.. abs.. walking.skipping) but Specifically a weighted hula hoop If you gain weight from drinking, you may start to see those pounds drop off. Your risk of developing certain diseases will decrease. I was never one to get up in the morning and drink but every evening without fail. So I just replaced it with yummy drinks. Current fave: NA lite ginger beer with a splash of cranberry and fresh lime. I notice I am always forgetting and putting things away in the wrong place but i catch myself and get anxiety a frustrated. Every time I have gone AF Ive had terrible sleeps for the first week then I have the greatest and deepest sleeps ever. When did you notice it started to improve and if it returned to normal (without meds) how long did it take? It was incredibly difficult to leave alcohol behind physically and socially but, as time went on, I felt stronger, more clear-headed, healthier. Stay positive, keep going forward and take one day at a time. Its great. I miss having a glass with friends. I have been a boozer for over 40 years,heavily for the past 20.I was in the process of moving house,and their was no way I could deal with it all intoxicated.5 months in without booze and started to feel the affects on my body.lost 12 pounds,even though like many,now have an inexplicable craving for chocolate and ice-cream.my blood pressure is back to normal now after being very high before.I havent used any counselling or medication,I find fizzy water with a little cordial seems to keep my alcohol cravings down .like everyone says one day at a time. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Once you have been sober for six months, you will know all of your triggers. Some ways to say no include being honest and saying you're cutting back, or simply saying, "No thanks, I'm good." I haveso many questions I need answered related to health. So I decided not to plan and every morning I woke up I asked for help to god to make this day an drink free one, and before I fell asleep Id say thank you for your help. Alcohol is just not good when it tricks you into dependency. Almost 3 months off alcohol now. Hoping for more benefits as time goes on. I began to see my flesh as a rabid dog (similar symptoms). Im at the 7 month mark. The sugar cravings and dehydration are no joke. I used to drink about six-eight beers per night for three/four days per week. Weird how no one wants to hear this. He was a wonderful person we had his memorial on Saturday there were so many friends on zoom. Stay strong, never give up, its never to late to make a change. Pink clouding is defined as a false sense of security that you might feel with this newfound sobriety. Im drinking pots and pots of rooibos tea without sugar. I am also doing intermittent fasting, eating just one meal a day and have cut way back on sugar. Thank you. Then your time will be terrible. Today I am 87days AF More gently cooked veggies, beans and a little berries works for me. Now once you stay sober for over a month, you will start to notice a lot of changes. I have rheumatoid arthritis and I am in remission for the first time in after 10 years. Eating 1800-2000 calories a day. Has been an interesting ride but my favourite result from being alcohol free has been the ability to do anything at anytime. I wish you well. Same thing with the stool issue. It was all or none. Does anyone have these same symptoms? Thats fantastic! I have battled with depression for a long time and I can assure you that when you stop. You go girl, I stoped drinking alcohol 3 moths ago plus quit smoking I feel so much healthier. And if you work out, drinking on the reg can make matters worse for your health. At home Im thinking of charging Ben & Jerry room and board. What I did was replace doing this with different things like kombuchas, coconut waters iced teas always stocked in my fridge. AF since Christmas and already down 10 pounds. There is a great book called Godspeed by Casey Legler. I took a hard look at why I was now eating ice cream every night when I hadnt before and realized I was now replacing the relaxing/rewarding experience I received from alcohol with ice cream. Stay strong its a poison thats become socially acceptable. The first 21 days days was hard, buy I had to remember my WHY. Alcohol literally stinks. I have been sleeping better almost immediately, more productive, happier, and lost weight (I havent even been able to get to the gym in the last 3 months but thats another story). GL all! Gotcthrough my first Saturday party, and found thise drinking so entertaining. I guess its a comfort and one that I know I need to change. Be strong and let your motions run you. Reading daily. Weight loss occurred and bloating went away. I just did my first Christmas and New Years in 25 year alcohol free. Have been suffering Candida lately as well, although canesten now seems to be working. November I pulled the BP monitor out regularly over 140/95, scared me a lot. They got him to the hospital. Nothing seems to help I drink waters with lemon I dont eat junk food any tips appreciated thank you. hope this helps shed some light to support people in stopping although i will never preach. I never did that before and it has made the difference this time around. Thanks Jon. After one week, I was surprised how good it felt, so I tried Dry January. And once I hit that I honestly cant see me ever drinking again. Used to drink about a 5th a day. I just lost my nephew from vodka. Usually a couple times a week. It seems to be subsiding. ( The only alcohol I dank was beer , throughout the day) I would quit for 2 weeks and start drinking again. I ended up in the hospital the weekend of Labor Day because my left foot turned purple and swelled up double the size. I never really had a hangover, cuz my alcohol level had plateaued. 18 Keto Smoothies That Legit Taste Like Milkshakes, Easy Keto Side Dishes For Every Taste Bud. After losing two family members I started drinking extremely heavily. I know i can have a drink.but do i really want one.? Its stubbornness is making me nervous af though, I am seeing my physician mid January for more kidney tests (so far so good, may be okay) and Ill have to ask him then. Im way less social though. I dont have much of an appetite and I have lost 25 lbs. Now, observing other people get drunk can be entertaining. No one understands this nightly battlefield as you do. But thats the only drawback. The darker pink area is also visibly raised. Memory loss, mood swings and no self control. Got through my first Xmas last year and New Years Eve it was fine . If you have alcohol use disorder but only drink on weekends, know that you will also get benefits from stopping: While giving up alcohol can be a challenge, it's important to remember that the benefits are well worth it. It turned out to be a severe skin infection and the doctors had no idea how I got it. We may have hurt ourselves a bit but it seems like with time we can fix this. I get a sugar rush just thinking about it. There are plenty of other perks to easing up on alcohol besides weight loss. It in unavoidable but you can prevent it to some point. I didnt really replace it with anything unhealthy. Brain Damage Control: Different stage of alcoholism affect the brain differently. One of the best decisions Ive ever made. There are many benefits to giving up alcohol, both short-term and long-term. Aha! After 6 months of taking my health back I have normalized my BP. Its not all about me anymore. It was nothing for me to polish off a bottle or 2 sometimes 3. It was better before. My blood pressure has dramatically gone down, ive lost 20 lbs. Brew Dog do great AF beers, you cannot tell they dont contain alcahol. Im currently at a resort in Mexico and am envious of all the people I see enjoying their cocktails. And its not just the quality of food that affects your weight but the quantity youre taking in, especially if you didnt start off the evening with a hearty meal. Some days I have to force myself to eat. I feel good, healthy all the exercise and good eating has me in the best shape Ive been in for sometime and so Im pretty confident with a shirt off again lol. lets go week 4, All the very best to anyone out there who is struggling with alcohol, I know how difficult it is, you have it in you to be what ever and who ever you want to be. to keep my family! I have lost 12 kgs. I guess Im replacing booze with food. I read every article on what alcohol does to your mind & body. In the end to stop drinking must come from me and not from anyone else. I want to go back to having a glass of champagne with my wife and not hiding bottles around the street. I have also lost about 5kg as well and have a more healthy lifestyle which includes daily exercise and green smoothies. I too had a big addiction to wine. Your email address will not be published. It feels the same as a nicotine substitute for smoking would be so maybe I havent stopped in my head. Highly recommend. Up until my last divorce in 2009 I could always stop drinking. Today just to see.. IT WORKS!! Just dont have any cravings now or desire to drink . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Because this interupts energy levels etc too, I too have drank for at least 40 years, every night. Easier to Eat Healthier. Hi, Great, fun, supportive people, but heavy drinkers. I think I will change up my lifestyle a bit after this full 12 months going AF and switch to 1 week of drinking with 1 month off and see how it goes. Havent had a drink in over 3 months, but started eating chocolate after dinner and havent lost any weight. For the alcoholic, this has got to be the absolute least compelling rambling of benefits ever written. It seems moderating is very difficult if not impossible for me, but total abstinence is relatively easy. Nothing completes the round like sitting outside on the clubhouse patio with friends and a pitcher. Then to none. Come month 7 I feel like a normal person, the majority of the body chemicals have now settled and withdrawal symptoms have gone. And giving in to these triggers is your own choice. In the end that was the choice you made, and it doesnt matter how hard it was to make it. I was drinking nearly 16 pints of Stella artois, kronenburg 1664, sanmiguel on a nightly basis. I dont want to gain weight. I feel you on the weight loss thing! I feel great cant ever see me drinking again dont miss it at all !! So isolation was real bad. I would also go through 2 packs of cigs.