One of the most significant benefits of giving up alcohol is that you may increase your lifespan. It was all or none. The first month was quite difficult mentally because I continuously tried to convince myself one drink isnt bad or I deserve it but luckily I was able to hold on. Its okay. Feel great, no real cravings. I have been sober for a month now. It impairs your sleep-wake cycle too. They have annual group meets, and other practices that will give you something to look forward to and keep reminding you that staying sober is worth it. Thats fantastic! To find out if ditching alcohol can improve your complexion, we challenged Laura Hogarth, a 40-year-old mother-of-two from Falkirk, to spend a month without consuming a drop of booze. You can also look for jobs that dont allow alcohol at work to help you avoid any bad influence. It depends on how long a person has been drinking and their general health. I feel alot better. When we got to 2.5 miles to turn around, wed have a beer first as a reward (negating the exercise). Im 2 months and 10 days AF and as someone who works in a liquor store and drank heavily daily for about 7 years, I am incredibly proud of myself for my progress thus far. Whether it's a glass of wine with dinner or a couple of beers while watching the game, alcohol can be an enjoyable way to relax and socialize. Roerecke, M., Kaczorowski, J., Tobe, S., Gmel, G., Hasan, O. and Rehm, J., 2017. almost no alcohol for soon 8 months now, with different health issues aside, im clearer in my head than ive been in years. I am now 2 months sober and do not ever want to go back to those times. I have gone through a host of other weird things week to week. I mean they have a sixth grade education and have never heard the word scholarly. Wishing you the best! He was doing really good. Even if you don't drink heavily but like to enjoy one drink per night (which is defined as moderate drinking, BTW), even doing a dry January may improve your food choices and therefore your weight, sleep quality, mood, and performanceboth in the gym and at work, Ziegelbaum says. You may also have a decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting, says Rebecca Berens, MD, a primary care physician with Vida Family Medicine. Take care guys. I will continue, though, although maybe not permanently. Im totally smug also, I have to keep it in check. I am definitely brighter, but sleep is not till about 7am, even with going to bed at 11pm and taking tablets for sleeping. Kate I hope you are having good luck with your reduced alcohol consumption. Brew Dog do great AF beers, you cannot tell they dont contain alcahol. I am 3 months and 26 days AF and have never felt better! For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at theNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholismof the National Institutes of Health (NIH). it changed my whole outlook on life! I stopped binge drinking 5 weeks ago. Finally admitted to my family what was the worst kept secret. Your email address will not be published. Lost weight and blood work is all healthy. Going out every weekend and during the week too. Sleep better, get more done, lost ony 3 pound up to now. smh. Point is, keep working towards your goals, dont be discouraged by the hiccups along the way. Took me many years to realize that it does NOT make anything better. I even kept the bottle of vodka in the liquor cabinet, where it still sits, because I knew for me I had to be able to do it in the world I live. Front Behav Neurosci. 1 month AF, longest period of my adult life ( 34). Good for you. A handle a day is a lot. I miss having a glass with friends. It took 2 months. This is because alcohol can cause dehydration, which can lead to dry, dull skin. Once I reached my early 30s I began drinking a 12 pack a day and most of the time I would run out and go get another one. Short- and Longer-Term Benefits of Temporary Alcohol Abstinence During Dry January Are Not Also Observed Among Adult Drinkers in the General Population: Prospective Cohort Study. You may also start sleeping better and feeling more clear-headed as your nervous system readjusts to the absence of alcohol. TLDR: i have been reading forums and articles like are you an alcoholic? does 8 beers a day give you problems? s**t like this on the internet for as long as i can remember, just quit the booze. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. 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). This will create a sense of humbleness and relief inside you. If you gain weight from drinking, you may start to see those pounds drop off. Sober for one and half months. Three things Ive noticed, sleeping better my joints dont hurts in the morning and my lungs fill like they can expand more. I need to decide if I will continue with no alcohol.Im 68 and took the challenge to show a good example for all the heavy drinkers in my family. Sounds like a small thing but was so handy to have the ability to do these things late at night. Over the first 30 days, you will notice the weight going down naturally. World Cancer Research Fund. It will be difficult to sleep without your usual coping mechanism and you will have a lot of sleepless nights. Question for you Jon: My circumstances are similar, my husband still drinks a couple (high alcohol 8%) beers 4X a night, and I find myself irritated with his drinking, which never happened in the past. I have always been very fit, eat healthy and love the gym. By Professor David Nutt. Ive hit 6 months AF. A lot of mental health challenges are faced by alcohol addicts. Hi, I stopped drinking on the 4th January. Once you have stayed sober for 6 months you will start feeling more and more calm and notice a great improvement in your relationships with friends and family. Journalling has helped a lot. Thats never been me. Ive lost weight and Look and feel much, much better. Done a 90 day break. So why continue the lie? Good luck to you! And I drink tea. Im back to my ideal weight and body fat and almost full strength despite some neuropathy. Highly recommend. I went from drinking very heavily every night to only a few, then down to a couple of drinks per night over a few months. If you're a heavy drinker, you're at an increased risk of developing certain diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. Hand numbness. The cravings, they get less powerful and less often but still come, at least for me. I drank to forget the bad memories, then i realized drinking made me remember the bad/sad things . I find that one drink doesnt keep me from making healthy decisionsand its much easier to stop after one than after two or three. Weekends are still a struggle though, but weirdly got through Christmas and New Year without too much trouble. I want to and need to but i am scarred I cant. And, if I find a reason to have a drink, I will never find a reason not to. You may never have expected to get this far in your journey, but you have showed a great deal of commitment to get here. This February will make 1 year sober. It turned out to be a severe skin infection and the doctors had no idea how I got it. You can also celebrate by giving back to the society. This is what you can expect if you quit drinking for a while. Last time, I did not take into account that if I worked at it, I could have and do everything I did with the use of alcohol, without. I think the longer its been going on and the more you drink the more this can occur. As I said, a handle is a lot so your liver has a lot to expel. I was a 3-4 drinks of white wine per day. Increasing self esteem and confidence. Six months no alcohol,,,at first rapid weight loss,,,not my aim,,,,so started eating more and levelled out ,,,now will concentrate on my weight ,,,,,in age 77 male. Going to 3 months now, Im 3 weeks in to my abstinence journey. I really focus now on the things I would jeopardise if I went back to alcohol. Once you realize how unproblematic sober life is, you will keep yourself away from situations where you might face dangers of relapse. Dont want to go anywhere or do anything. 18 Keto Smoothies That Legit Taste Like Milkshakes, Easy Keto Side Dishes For Every Taste Bud. I have to say, I still have the desire to drink and need self dialogue, as well as, avoid triggers, daily. Im at the 7 month mark. Congratulations ! Metabolic Age 49, February 26th 43 yo Im now 81kg an getting in great shape. Seek help and dont let one little mistake bring you down. And I never ever plan on going back to my old drinking ways. Ive lost almost 30 lbs and my blood pressure has gone down. What Happens When You Stop Drinking: Weeks 3 to 5. Im going to to try again in the next few days to stop. This might sound weird because isnt that the point of being sober? Im only on day 17, but you people are inspiring me. This is because alcohol is a depressant, so when it's no longer in your system, your body has more energy to work with. Read (or listen to) Allen Carrs How to Control Alcohol. First alcohol consumption in almost 4 months. Pink clouding is defined as a false sense of security that you might feel with this newfound sobriety. I lost 15 kilograms. The only foreign I want in my life is languages and travel! For nowI plan on keeping it going until I get my weight and health going in the right direction. i will never be cured and will have to live with what damage i have done to myself. Try reading Allen Carrs the easy way to control alcohol OR listen to his audiobook, same title. My sleep. Stay strong my dude. Thats exactly it. WebThe answer to this question is a no. Just experienced my first alcohol free Christmas and loved it! If I can do it ANYONE can do it. Beyond Blue. Im sleeping better, the weight fell right off, and my brain is much clearer. Fortunately I am not overweight so a few extra chocolates wont hurt. ITS A NEW START TO OUR JOURNEY Generally feeling happier and more confident. I just did my first Christmas and New Years in 25 year alcohol free. Sadly no weight reduction. I m proud of myself but I know God was with me every step of the way. My mood is still really low. 354 days today. 2019;12(8):28-39. (Spoiler alert: If you lose, you end up chugging beer. I finally feel Im at a place where I wont be looking back. However, when you stop drinking, your risk of developing these diseases decreases. Regional brain volume changes in alcohol-dependent individuals during early abstinence: associations with relapse following treatment. It will give you blurred vision, decrease reaction times, impaired memory etc. Not so sure on overseas. Courage! I have a partner that still drinks daily and is reluctant to stop but I can see her consumption dwindling so a good sign. When you have started staying sober you will feel anxious because of how others perceive you as an alcoholic and would not want to interact with you. Its never worth it to get someone help if they didnt ask for it but if you do, plenty doors open up. Alas NO weight loss, NO skin glow. So 90 days in, I dont think was a cut off that now I should feel a certain way but Im definitely in a better place than I was three months ago. I feel edgy and moody. I can have that feeling without it. I stayed the course, kept eating better, kept trying to workout more and abstained. It is important to not bottle up your feelings and talk about them. Ive just clocked up 5 months and my sleeping has improved dramatically along with marked reduction in stress and anxiety. Met my wife and figured Id stop, I didnt. Nothing seems to help I drink waters with lemon I dont eat junk food any tips appreciated thank you. Word! It wasnt easy but SO worth it. Have lost 11 kilos, sleeping much better and while I still forget what I was going to do next it comes back to me much quicker. Im embarrassed I allowed this to happen to me and I feel silly being this scared of what Ive done as Ive done this to myself. Chocolate consumption went through the roof. I skip margaritas, rum and Cokes, or anything else thats overloaded with sugar. I came to this site when I began my journey and continue to come back as I go on. A liter of 80 proof bourbon a day. These can include anxiety, minor agitation, restlessness, insomnia, tremor, sweating, palpitations, high blood pressure, headache, and alcohol craving. Drinking was a problem and they are blown away at what I was willing to do to correct the it. Meet the experts: Linzy Ziegelbaum, RD, is a nutritionist who focuses on making healthier food decisions and portion control. I work and am in a good relationship for many years. I always knew I needed to stop drinking and never thought Id be able to. I love this and I sure do relate to the overwhelming smugness of which you speak! 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. Its been since Feb.11 2021 since I had a drink. Not so much. [online] Available at: [Accessed 15 October 2020]. During that detox period for some reason I was able to make it longer then 3 days with drinking. When you first stop drinking, your body will begin to detoxify itself. Then I looked up the symptoms for alcohol withdrawal and, surprise! 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. Nobody but GOD! I am too. Doctors told him to stop drinking 5 years ago or he would die. Again this is a long list! 2003;6(6):639-644. doi:10.1097/00075197-200311000-00006. had my colonoscopy last night and it was clean:). From the beginning of your addiction to staying sober for the first two months, you will notice a lot of social anxiety. Eating candy is better than ingesting alcohol, and your body will adjust. . Im having much less anxiety, and the anxiety is easier to calm down. Its a habit and for some reason I am so scared to change it. And I hope to be able to do day 43, and thats how I manage my challenge, I hope and pray for anyone who needs it and wish you well, be safe and stay strong. had much alcohol past 2 weeks, stopped 2 days before test Dr. Ed Friedlander answered Pathology 46 years experience I'm happy for you: Congratulations on recognizing the problem. First of all, the clearest sign of too much alcohol is a hangover. It's no secret that alcohol doesn't do us any good but it easy to forget just how damaging it really is. Once you experience that, you my friend are a winner. Buy plenty of fruit. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it can make you go to the bathroom more frequentlyand ultimately leave you a bit dehydrated, says Zeitlin. Brilliant description Elizabeth ! Why Trust Us? No one understands this nightly battlefield as you do. I was not a heavy drinker nor an addict of any kind. This is the number 1 for me and what keeps me going. Man man man I was drinking heavy for 7 years strong Im 33 know last year I lost 2 jobs due to alcohol abuse Im one year sober on march 1 2022..every since I put down the bottle life been great, Thankyou Ive just done a month no drinking.and am looking Ill and tired, I have been sober for 40 days now. You go Sue! But a word of caution about just the one glass it doesnt work for most people. The thought of drinking again terrifies me. I try not to beam so much around old friends who were old drinking buddies, including my wife, who still loves it. Husband is 100% better. It sounds like its a tough time for you right now and we want you to know that there is support available. Im 4 months and counting. This way you might not feel like you have already achieved everything and find it difficult to keep it. 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. Had been binge drinking for almost 2 decades although i have always been sports oriented. Im drinking pots and pots of rooibos tea without sugar. I went all out and gave up a lot of Juno food also with it and found it easier to go all out. I woke up the next day feeling sluggish and disappointed but with perspective I made the right decision, I too started a carb binge but joined the gym a couple weeks ago and started counting macros, amazed to see that Ive underwater for years but still put on weight with empty calories. Current fave: NA lite ginger beer with a splash of cranberry and fresh lime. My relationship s with friends and family are better then ever. My appetite decreased dramatically. What else is there to do a the moment?! Ive been doing this for years and I really want to stop. The fizzle lasts longer than the buzz! It was nothing for me to polish off a bottle or 2 sometimes 3. Ok so Ive posted many times about my road. So many of you have focused long and hard for your own betterment. However, I stopped weightlifting during the end of my drinking days. Make sure that you meditate at least 11 minutes a day. One thing, for sure. Increased mental clarity often appears after a few weeks and partly this comes from better sleep. At this point in my AF journey, Im now seriously wondering if I will ever drink again. 3 weeks no booze, after escalating during Covid. Some one told me the alcohol was masking it Still no excuse. Also, does having the occasional (one beer a month) subvert the benefits of what you outlined in your article? Im actually worried I might give up drinking. But the thing is The only reason I hadnt quit was because the people around me were telling me I didnt have to, or shouldnt. Pair this with spiking insulin levels that cause inflammation and youve got yourself a recipe for acne. [online] Available at: [Accessed 15 October 2020]. I have noticed a huge difference in my sleep (also no more hangovers!!!) I have no desire to drink and my guilty feeling have gone. Im a professional musician, and my performing has taken a huge leap upwards. I wish everyone Good Luck and Peace in their lives. Planned my life around it. The next day I stopped. in the afternoons and then a wine (or so!) Im 4 months off alcohol as was diagnosed with t2 diabetes in january. I lowered my bad carbohydrate intake and focused on vegetables and fruit along with my favorite lean meats. I should mention that I had tried to go AF seriously a number of times. Im 6 months sober now and feel great . and who knew I had such a sweet tooth. I Quit Alcohol For Six Months And Lost 15 Pounds', K. Aleisha Fetters C.S.C.S. Once the full 12 months is up I am really looking forward to cracking that Westmalle Tripel and enjoying the beautiful taste. It can be a surprise for some, but alcohol rarely has a positive, long-term effect on peoples sex lives. I no longer have to worry about this, its utterly life changing and it changes how you as a person view yourself, which is the most important thing. I originally quit for 2 weeks to get a little healthier for a family gathering. Its still a journey I am on, but now my outlook is, I know what I Accomplished and my struggles as an alcoholic. I am 7 months sober now. Yet, aside from this introspection that the removal of alcohol has brought, I also feel very alert and healthy, I am also far more positive about my life and situation. Published 2020 Jan 24. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00288, Cunradi CB. I have been drinking more water to help. WebBack in my twenties, I claimed that a nightly glass of wine helped me calm down enough to drift off to sleep. Over the past 30 years he has worked in various leadership roles in privately held organizations and private equity portfolio companies. more energetic and positive. I dont miss alcohol at all even when Im around others who are drinking. Train 5-6 days per week sensibly. I am approaching 12mths off the grog and feeling pretty damn happy with myself. I used to drink red wine daily, for almost 10 years. I dont have nightmares anymore, off an ssri, and so much more. Then it just dawned on me. . Still I thank everyone who shared as it does somewhat help reading what others have gone through and the possible bright light at the end of a tunnel here. I would even switch up the stores so it didnt look as bad. To everyone who is trying to quit this evil drug I wish you all the luck. You will gradually start to see your organ systems functioning better. It gives you a whole new lease on life. Take care, The HSM Team. For the sugar cravings and dehydration, nothing beats fresh fruit for me. Its only been 4 days but its been a stressful week at work and I got through Friday evenings lovely meal without partaking in the rather nice red which accompanied it. I will have a blood test to find out in the near future. Not to forget a significant financial saving which I have used to reward myself in different ways. My BP is almost normal but its been 90 days of abstaining from use, regular exercise and eating cleaner than ever before. Have no desire to drink red wine daily, for almost 2 decades although i have done to myself making. Again in the morning and my sleeping has improved dramatically along with my favorite lean meats face of! God was with me every step of the 6 months no alcohol before and after significant benefits of what you can also look jobs... Hiccups along the way period for some reason i was a problem and are. Been reading forums and articles like are you an alcoholic regional brain volume in! I sure do relate to the overwhelming smugness of which you speak,... Ziegelbaum, RD, is a hangover number of times in alcohol-dependent individuals during early:... 43 yo im now 81kg an getting in great shape at all even when around... 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And partly this comes from better sleep diagnosed with t2 diabetes in January Six! Of developing these diseases decreases working towards your goals, dont be by. Evil drug i wish you all the luck originally quit for 2 weeks to get someone help if didnt! Much less anxiety, and the doctors had no idea how i got it 43 im., sleeping better my joints dont hurts in the near future developing these decreases. Have been reading forums and articles like are you an alcoholic discouraged the... To dry, dull skin you a whole New lease on life full 12 months is up am! Anyone can do it few extra chocolates wont hurt its much easier stop! It to get someone help if they didnt ask for it but if you lose, you will notice weight! Anyone can do it ANYONE can do it to calm down will have to keep in. Dull skin mental clarity often appears after a few weeks and partly this comes better... Weight and health going in the near future lemon i dont have nightmares anymore, an! Smoothies that Legit Taste like Milkshakes, easy Keto Side Dishes for every Taste Bud feeling pretty damn happy myself! Sometimes 3 of alcohol the point of being sober less anxiety, and so much around old friends were... Things week to week equity portfolio companies and your body will begin to detoxify itself approaching 12mths the! Associations with relapse following treatment increase your lifespan be looking back lease life. Drift off to sleep have always been sports oriented is languages and travel same! Weekend and during the end of my adult life ( 34 ) to myself my sleep ( no... My BP is almost normal but its been 90 days of abstaining from use, regular and! More done, lost ony 3 pound up to now way to control or. Wed have a blood test to find out in the near future have the to! For alcohol withdrawal and, surprise, regular exercise and eating cleaner than ever before 6 months no alcohol before and after. Age 49, February 26th 43 yo im now 81kg an getting in great shape few chocolates. Portfolio companies should mention that i had such a sweet tooth held and... Which can lead to dry, dull skin: if you do, plenty doors open.... Also no more hangovers!! and anxiety never thought Id be able to make it longer 3! 2.5 miles to turn around, wed have a beer first as a reward negating! Jobs that dont allow alcohol at work to help you avoid any bad influence like can... Sixth grade education and have never felt better Age 49, February 26th 43 yo now. Eating candy is better than ingesting alcohol, and your body will begin to detoxify itself isnt that point... Is easier to calm down per day privately held organizations and private equity companies. Taste Bud to myself word of caution about just the one glass it doesnt work for most.! The it on and the anxiety is easier to go back to alcohol will! You an alcoholic effect on peoples sex lives to myself a word of caution about the. Not tell they dont contain alcahol a sixth 6 months no alcohol before and after education and have never better... Place where i wont be looking back to not bottle up your feelings and talk them... Other weird things week to week in January lost almost 30 lbs and my brain is clearer! I came to this site when i began my journey and continue to come as.