Life Before and After Stopping Alcohol: What to Expect on Your Sobriety Journey

Whether you struggle to control your drinking, drink more often than you should or consider yourself a social drinker, alcohol can take a toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. An unhealthy relationship with alcohol can impact nearly all aspects of your life, affecting your personal relationships as well as your professional livelihood. If you are dealing with an alcohol use disorder, seeking professional support in early sobriety can help increase your chances of success.

The Short-Term Effects of Drinking Alcohol Before Quitting

Just one or two drinks can have an effect on your physical and mental wellbeing within a few minutes of consumption. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your blood alcohol concentration rises, leading to increased impairment. Some of the short-term effects of drinking include:

• Reduced inhibitions
• Difficulty concentrating
• Motor impairment
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Impaired breathing

Excessive alcohol consumption over a short period may also lead to alcohol poisoning, a dangerous condition that can cause coma or death. Although the severity of these effects associated with alcohol consumption depends on the amount consumed, drinking alcohol increases your chances of engaging in risky and even violent behavior. Every year, thousands of people die from injuries sustained from alcohol-related car crashes. Suicide and homicide risks also increase when you drink excessively.

Long-Term Risks Associated With Alcohol Use

Alcohol consumption affects your mind and body in many ways. While some of these effects are short-term, others can accumulate over time and dramatically impact your physical and mental health. Some long-term risk factors associated with alcohol use include:

• Bone damage
• Cancer
• Weakened immune system
• High blood pressure and heart rate
• Increased risk of liver disease (cirrhosis)
• Cardiovascular problems (heart disease)
• Mental health issues like anxiety or depression
• Negative impacts on your social and professional life

In 2018, the World Health Organization deemed alcohol a significant contributing factor to over 200 diseases and health conditions. The amount of harm alcohol causes depends on how much and how frequently you drink. Your age, genetics, metabolism and general health may also play a role in the harmful impact alcohol has on your wellbeing.

What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

When you quit drinking alcohol, your body undergoes numerous positive changes. Committing to long-term sobriety allows your body to reverse much of the damage caused by alcohol, leading to significant health benefits and a positive impact on your overall health. Some of the changes you may experience include:

• More restful sleep – Alcohol disrupts the sleep cycle, making it challenging to achieve restorative sleep. When you quit alcohol, your sleep quality improves giving you better sleeps.
• Better hydration – Alcohol is a diuretic. When you stop drinking, your body is better able to hydrate naturally.
• Increased energy – Because you’re now getting a better night’s sleep without alcohol, you’ll have more energy throughout the day.
• Better mood – Alcohol is a depressant, and chronic drinking can cause significant changes within the brain. When you stop drinking, you allow your brain chemistry to return to normal, resulting in decreased anxiety and depression.
• Enhanced cognitive function – Quitting alcohol allows your brain the time it needs to fully heal, leading to improved memory, focus and overall clarity.
• Healthier skin – Because alcohol is inflammatory, it can aggravate skin conditions like rosacea. Quitting alcohol can decrease skin redness, leading to a healthier complexion.
• Liver repair – When you stop drinking, your liver begins regenerating and repairing damaged cells. This process restores its functionality and potentially reverses fatty liver disease and improving overall liver function.

Many people who decide to quit drinking notice a significant improvement in both their physical and mental health within just a few weeks. While these changes are all positive, it’s important to note that heavy drinkers may experience severe withdrawal symptoms during the first few days of sobriety. These symptoms can be challenging and even dangerous. If you are drinking heavily, you should seek professional medical detox to help you navigate this step of recovery in a safe and medically supervised manner.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms and Their Management

Committing to sobriety and a life without alcohol is a big decision, especially if you’ve been drinking for a while or are a heavy drinker. Over time, your body has adjusted to functioning with alcohol in its system, and it will also take time for it to adapt to its absence. This period is called withdrawal, and you may experience uncomfortable and even dangerous symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Shakes
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Increased blood pressure
• Heart palpitations
• Mood fluctuations
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Hyperthermia
• Insomnia
• Seizures

In some cases, severe alcohol withdrawal may lead to delirium tremens, which is characterized by tremors, confusion and hallucinations. This condition can be fatal without proper medical intervention.

Alcohol withdrawal is difficult to manage on your own. If you are a heavy drinker, you should consider entering a medically supervised detox to safely manage these symptoms. Long Island Interventions can provide you with the right treatment and support needed to detox from alcohol in a comfortable, safe environment. During medically assisted alcohol detox, our team of medical professionals can provide you with FDA-approved medications to help you get through this difficult process so you can begin the next stage of recovery on the right foot.

The Role of Professional Treatment in Recovery

Many who attempt to overcome alcohol use disorder or substance abuse on their own often relapse. Attending a professional treatment program offers the best chance for long-term recovery. Enrolling in a rehabilitation center allows you to benefit from evidence-based treatment and therapeutic modalities designed to address your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, helping you understand the underlying causes of addiction. It is important to understand the effects of alcohol on both physical and mental health.

Professional Treatment Offers Customizable Plans

Every recovery journey is unique, requiring a tailored approach. Treatment centers have medical professionals trained to create plans addressing each client’s physical and psychological needs. This is far more effective than solo attempts, which often miss essential skill-building and comprehensive care. This includes addressing any co-occurring mental health conditions.

You Can Benefit From Medication-Assisted Treatment

Detox from alcohol and drugs can be challenging and even dangerous. Medication-assisted treatment is essential for many entering recovery. Medical professionals at treatment centers administer and adjust medications as needed. This helps you through the initial difficult stages, providing a strong foundation. For those with heavy drinking habits, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, including the DTs, is a serious concern. Medical supervision is crucial during this phase. This is also important for those with co-occurring substance use, such as opioid addiction, as withdrawal from multiple substances can be complex.

Rehabilitation Centers Provide Ongoing Support and Accountability

Support doesn’t end with program completion. After leaving, you’ll continue receiving counseling, guidance, and an aftercare plan to stay on track. A supportive team boosts morale and provides assistance and advice. This can help manage alcohol cravings and encourage abstaining from alcohol. They can also provide guidance on healthy lifestyle changes, such as weight loss through proper nutrition and exercise, which can be impacted by alcohol intake and contribute to conditions like obesity. It’s important to discuss with your healthcare provider the impact of alcohol on your gastrointestinal health, too. Remember, seeking help for substance use is a sign of strength, and professional treatment centers are equipped to provide the necessary support for a successful, alcohol-free life. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a loved one for support as well. Knowing when you had your last drink can be a helpful piece of information for your healthcare team.

The Challenges of Staying Sober

Achieving lasting recovery takes significant effort. However, it takes more than willpower to stay the course. The social pressure to drink during gatherings and celebrations can be difficult to handle, especially once cravings begin. However, there are some things you can do to remain sober no matter what life throws at you:

• Learn how to identify your triggers and create a plan to avoid them.
• Understand the potential signs of relapse and take action to prevent it from occurring.
• Avoid old habits or routines that are associated with drinking.
• Develop healthy relationships with people who support your sobriety.
• Join a support group to help you develop valuable coping skills.

Sobriety is a lifelong process, and it’s common to experience setbacks along the way. While learning how to live a life of sobriety can be challenging, it is possible. By creating a structured schedule, practicing healthy living and engaging in mindfulness and self-care practices, you can strengthen your resolve on your sobriety journey.

The long road to recovery from alcohol use disorder is complex, but you are not alone. By seeking professional help and connecting with a compassionate, supportive community, you can increase your chances of experiencing long-term recovery. Here at Long Island Interventions, we believe that the best addiction treatments are tailored to the needs of each individual client. If you’re ready to discover a life free from alcohol, we are here to help you get started. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive detox and recovery programs.

Published on: 2025-02-01
Updated on: 2025-02-01