The Transformative Benefits of Being Sober for 2 Weeks

Alcoholism is a problem for many Americans. That’s not hyperbole but rather a reality documented in multiple studies. One of those studies is from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which revealed that nearly 30 million people struggled with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2021. An AUD is an inability to control one’s drinking because of a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol. Individuals who have an AUD often find themselves confronted with intense alcohol cravings, an inability to stop drinking after consuming their first alcoholic beverage, and a negative emotional state that causes them to feel anxious and irritable when they are not drinking. While consuming alcohol and not allowing it to consume their life comes easy for some people, it’s an entirely different matter for those with an AUD.

What Causes an Alcohol Use Disorder?

Multiple things can contribute to someone developing and eventually struggling with an alcohol use disorder. For some people, impulsiveness, low self-esteem, the need for approval, and other psychological traits are the main drivers when it comes to their compulsion to drink excessively. Others develop an AUD after turning to alcohol to cope with emotional problems that might stem from traumatic events in their lives, such as physical or sexual abuse. Some people start drinking due to peer pressure and the easy availability of alcohol, both of which eventually open the door to an AUD.

Consequences of Untreated Alcoholism

Whether it’s occasional binge drinking or full-on alcohol abuse, heavy drinking can compromise one’s physical and mental health. Common symptoms of untreated alcoholism include the following:

• Becoming malnourished
• Decline in cognitive functioning
• Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations
• Developing a pale or jaundiced complexion
• Engaging in self-harm
• Experiencing liver and kidney problems
• Feeling chronically tired and lethargic
• Feeling overly stressed
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Memory problems
• Sore or aching muscles and joints

Along with these various unpleasant symptoms, individuals who abuse alcohol are more likely to be diagnosed with liver disease, cancer, immune system disorders, and cardiovascular problems than those who do not. As far as the impact on others, excessive alcoholism is a common denominator in many physical and sexual assaults, slip and fall injuries, and traffic accidents. And all of these adverse consequences are supported by numerous credible studies.

In 2019, binge drinking and AUDs cost the U.S. almost $30 billion in healthcare, $25 billion in court and other legal costs, over $13 billion in traffic accidents, and nearly $180 billion in lost workplace productivity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Studies from multiple organizations and universities show that marriages are twice as likely to end in divorce when one or both parties drink excessively. Domestic violence and concern for children in the household are the most common reasons people cite when filing for divorce.

More People With an Alcohol Use Disorder Are Choosing To Get Sober

Many people who have a problem with alcohol are starting to recognize that they have a problem. And that recognition is motivating them to get the help they need to put alcohol abuse behind them once and for all. In 2020, there were 50.4 rehab treatment admissions for every 10,000 people in the U.S. Many of those admissions included people seeking help overcoming their struggles with alcohol. The following explains why rehab admissions have been and continue to be on the rise:

• Expanded insurance coverage and the growth of treatment facilities
• Increased awareness when it comes to substance abuse
• Reduced stigma
• Rising rates of substance abuse

While more people are getting help to quit alcohol is deserving of applause, the journey toward sobriety is not an easy one. That’s partly due to the withdrawal symptoms associated with going through an alcohol detox.

What Happens During an Alcohol Detox?

When someone consciously decides to quit drinking, they are well on their way toward getting sober. But they will encounter some pushback from their own body. That pushback is in the form of detox withdrawal symptoms, which can occur within hours of them consuming their final alcoholic beverage. For those not familiar with it, detox is the body’s natural way of purging itself of not only alcohol but also other harmful contaminants when someone abruptly gives up drinking. Detox-related withdrawal symptoms typically last three days and can include the following:

• Anxiety
• Delirium tremens and seizures
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Increased blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Tremors

Alcohol detox withdrawal symptoms don’t all come on at once. They come in three stages, the first of which starts 6 to 12 hours after someone consumes their last drink and generally consists of headaches, mild anxiety, insomnia, tremors, sweating, and an upset stomach. Irritability is also common. The second stage occurs 24 hours after they consume their final alcoholic beverage and includes visual or auditory hallucinations, increased blood pressure, tremors, and heart palpitations. The third and final stage occurs 24 to 72 hours after they consume their last drink and includes delirium tremens, a severe, life-threatening form of alcohol withdrawal consisting of violent seizures, confusion, and hallucinations. Delirium tremens can be fatal if not promptly treated.

Medication-Assisted Treatment: The Role of Medicine in Alcohol Addiction Recovery

Detox withdrawal symptoms can make some people give up on rehab and return to drinking. Available data shows that 40% to 60% of people relapse while in recovery. Because of this, most rehab facilities offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Such treatment includes round-the-clock medical monitoring and prescription-based medication to help ease difficult withdrawal symptoms. These medications include acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone, and benzodiazepines.

What To Expect After Being Sober for One Week

Getting through detox and the associated withdrawal symptoms is hard, but it is all well worth it in light of the physical and psychological benefits. It is no secret that excessive drinking can take a toll on the liver, one of the largest and most important organs in the human body.

After someone consumes alcohol, the liver produces two enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). ADH and ALDH collectively break down alcohol, allowing it to leave the body as carbon dioxide when individuals inhale and exhale and as water when they urinate. Once alcohol is out of the body, the liver no longer has to work as hard. The resumption of normal liver function benefits individuals in the following ways:

• The ability to maintain a stable weight
• Improved digestive health and regular bowel movements
• Healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels

Most people experience these telltale signs of healthier liver function within the first week of their sobriety. After two weeks, the body makes even more progress in its efforts to rebound from drowning in excessive alcohol.

What To Expect After Being Sober for Two Weeks

After two weeks or a full 14 days of abstaining from drinking, most people find that they are sleeping better. For those unaware, excessive alcohol consumption interferes with REM sleep, the deep sleep stage where the body repairs itself. In addition to being more productive during the day, getting plenty of sleep at night provides individuals with the energy necessary to exercise, which makes it easier for them to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and be healthier overall. Along with getting more sleep and having more energy, most people notice the following after being sober for two weeks:

• Relief from dehydration symptoms – Because alcohol is a diuretic, heavy drinking interferes with vasopressin hormones, the natural antidiuretic hormones in the body. This interference causes the bladder to fill up faster than it usually does, which leads to frequent urination and, eventually, dehydration. After two weeks of not drinking, bladder function returns to normal, and most people experience significant relief from alcohol-related dehydration symptoms, such as chronic thirst, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and lightheadedness.
• Better mental health and cognitive function – Excessive alcohol consumption contributes to and worsens existing mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. It also negatively affects cognitive function, which explains why heavy drinkers struggle with poor memory, concentration, and decision-making. These ill effects are due to how alcohol impacts the brain. After two weeks or 14 days of abstaining from alcohol, most people notice significant improvements in their overall mood, cognitive function, and even self-esteem.
• Healthier skin – Giving up drinking can do wonders for your skin. That’s because excessive alcohol consumption causes skin irritation. After not drinking for two weeks, most people notice their skin is not as dry, red, or inflamed.
• Fewer hormonal imbalances – Heavy drinking can wreak havoc on the endocrine system, the network of glands that house several organs that produce hormones that the body needs. When someone stops drinking for two weeks or stops entirely, they experience fewer hormonal imbalances responsible for sexual and reproductive dysfunction, thyroid issues, poor immune function, and psychological and behavioral disorders.

Get the Help You Need To Overcome Alcohol Addiction

All in all, excessive drinking can severely impact one’s physical and psychological health. While alcohol cessation can remediate most issues, many people find it hard to quit drinking on their own. If this resonates with you, consider scheduling a consultation with one of our Long Island Interventions addiction specialists today.

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Published on: 2024-08-14
Updated on: 2024-09-23