Alcohol has become a part of life for many. A bottle of beer in front of the TV after work, a few glasses of wine with dinner, unlimited cocktails at a friend's birthday. . . Even if you rarely drink, alcohol consumption can sooner or later become a serious problem - you will develop a bad habit that you will have to fight for a long time. In the article we will discuss an important question: how to give up alcohol. How will your life change after you quit alcohol?
Who should stop drinking alcohol completely?
Quitting alcohol involves reducing the consumption of alcoholic beverages to a minimum level or eliminating them completely from your life.
There are many reasons why people decide to give up alcohol completely at some point. These may be health problems caused, among other things, by excessive alcohol consumption. Another common reason is a person's desire to live a healthy lifestyle and reap all the benefits of quitting alcohol.
Sobriety is necessary if:
- Alcohol dependence develops quickly - withdrawal symptoms appear and you can no longer reduce the amount of alcohol you drink on your own.
- There are physical or mental illnesses that are made worse by alcohol consumption.
- Even a small amount of alcohol leads to loss of self-control - rash actions, excessive spending of money, aggression.
- A pregnancy is planned.
You can understand if you are addicted to alcohol by asking yourself the question: "Are you looking for reasons or excuses why you can and should drink? "How often does this happen? Evaluate how the situation has changed recently. Answer these questions as honestly as possible.
This way you can understand whether you really need to give up alcohol or whether you already drink it in small quantities and are not addicted.
Timeline for stopping drinking: what happens after you stop drinking?
"I won’t say I drank too much or too often. But the obligatory minimum of alcohol was as follows: an evening with friends on Friday with cocktails, a few bottles of beer per week with an interesting film, a Sunday dinner with my husband with 1-2 glasses of wine. The decision to give up alcohol completely came unexpectedly. I just thought it would be good to test myself to see if I could stop drinking alcohol completely. My life changed a lot when I stopped.
As soon as I told my friends that I wasn't drinking anymore, they took it as a joke and didn't believe it for a long time. They thought I was pregnant or sick with something, since I had made such a decision. My husband and I didn't immediately get used to my total sobriety. Even my mother was suspicious of this decision and asked if everything was okay. It’s strange, but in people’s understanding, sobriety is something out of the ordinary.
Quitting alcohol wasn't easy for me. No matter what holiday I went to, people I knew and didn't know desperately tried to get me drunk - "cheers", "just a little". There were enough temptations. But I held on. It was only after a few months that I got used to the idea that there was no place for alcohol in my life.
After a few months, I noticed that I had lost weight. All these beer and wine snacks were clearly harming my figure. I began to sleep much better - with such vigor in the morning. My husband and I continue to meet friends. But there were much fewer parties and noisy parties. It turned out that without doping in the form of alcohol, loud music in bars is only annoying. I see all of this as positive changes – I have so many free evenings. At the same time, no hangover in the morning. My husband and I enrolled in a dance school. It’s not just the holidays that can bring joy.
So far, I haven't had a drink in six months. And I have no plans to discontinue my sober lifestyle – I loved it. I'm happy with everything that happened to me after I quit alcohol. It's as if I have become freer.
If a person drinks only occasionally and strictly controls the amount of alcohol, it will be easy for him to give up a bad habit. But when alcohol consumption turns into a disease and physical dependence has already formed, the body will "resist" reducing doses of alcoholic beverages. It is worth preparing for the fact that the transition to a healthy lifestyle will take more than a month.
How does the body recover after quitting alcohol?
| A period of time | Physiological and emotional changes |
|---|---|
| 1st day | After many years of drinking, even one day without alcohol is an impressive time. The body will "demand" another dose of ethyl alcohol. The first thing a person who stops drinking will face is withdrawal symptoms of varying severity. Symptoms include: nausea, constipation, or diarrhea; dizziness; headache; hand tremors; increased body temperature; mood swings |
| 2nd day | Signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are slightly reduced compared to the first day. But the body still undergoes an active detoxification process - the elimination of breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain. In some cases, during the recovery of the body, discomfort in the liver also appears. My head continues to pound. A person who has begun to struggle with addiction seeks solitude, is irritated, sometimes aggressive, and suffers from insomnia or nightmares. He sees everything in black – it seems that it will always be as bad. It is therefore in the first days that it is most difficult to cope with the desire to drink. I want to get rid of this torment as quickly as possible. At this time, severe anxiety and panic can occur, sometimes turning into an obsessive thought that if you don't drink you can die. Everything is aggravated by the serious condition of the body: in the process of adaptation to work without alcohol, all systems of the body can malfunction, which is why this terrible impression arises - "I will die now if I don't drink. » |
| 3rd day | The body begins its recovery in the first days after stopping alcohol. Physical well-being improves. But the psyche is still "at the limit". Even the sound of a dripping faucet can irritate an addict. Mood swings cause headaches and outbursts of aggression. Sleep still disturbed |
| 4-5th day | Withdrawal syndrome in drug addicts in the 1st and 2nd stages of alcoholism almost completely disappears. Someone who stops drinking develops an appetite. But large meals can cause nausea and intestinal problems |
| 6-8th day | The addict's withdrawal symptoms disappear completely. His mental state improves considerably. About 7 days after stopping drinking alcohol, sleep returns to normal. A person begins to sleep more soundly, which means that he feels much more alert than before. A boost of energy often makes you want to finally exercise. A person's skin tone improves (swellings and red spots disappear), hands stop trembling, and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized. |
| 2 weeks | Over the next week, thought processes are restored - consciousness becomes clearer, confusion in thoughts finally disappears. The headaches no longer bother me. Doctors note that 2 weeks after complete abandonment of alcohol, heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, shortness of breath disappears and breathing is restored. A person who stops drinking may gain weight during this time. Some people try to compensate for their abandonment of alcoholic beverages with delicious food. |
| Month | By the end of the first month after stopping drinking alcohol, the body eliminates the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. However, the psychological state can be serious: as a rule, the person is sad and depressed. He has lost his usual behavior, and it's stress. Now he needs to figure out how to live longer, what to do, what to do, what to do, etc. Only after going through the first stage of withdrawal does he rejoice and lead a sober life for several days, but immediately after this begins the "struggle of motives" - "to drink or not to drink", whichleads to tensions and risks. to develop depression. On the one hand, a person understands that he feels better and has endured severe pain, but cravings and trained behavior do not allow him to completely abandon alcohol. A person is between "to be or not to be", he begins to look for reasons to drink, he looks for excuses. Hence the mood swings and increased irritability. If you prepare for this, that is, understand that it is inevitable, but temporary and that it will pass soon, it may be a little easier. But the physical condition improves - the teeth become whiter, swelling of the face and limbs disappears, dark circles under the eyes disappear. The hand tremor, if it was present before, no longer bothers me. In the first and subsequent months after stopping drinking, liver function is actively restored. |
| 3 months | When a person stops drinking, their immune system begins to function at full capacity. The person is healthy and energetic. He has already learned to spend his free time without alcohol, finding an interesting activity. Even a long period of abstinence does not guarantee that a person will not relapse if they start drinking alcohol again. The risk of relapse remains very high. If during difficult times in life your hand reaches for a bottle of alcohol, you need to stop. Only willpower will help you hold on |
| Six months | 6 months is an impressive period of sober living. People struggling with addiction usually find interesting interests and hobbies during this time. This helps you take your mind off alcohol while still enjoying life. |
| Year | The physical and emotional state of the person who has stopped drinking is stable. A person realizes that life without alcohol is wonderful. He actively communicates with friends and family, seeks goals in life and achieves them. After a long period of abstinence from alcohol, the liver and kidneys are completely restored, if no serious pathologies in the functioning of the organs have been previously diagnosed. |
Suddenly stopping alcohol: mistakes, consequences
There is an opinion that abruptly giving up alcohol can harm your health. This is only partially true.
If we are talking about rare consumption of alcohol in small doses, then the complete abolition of alcohol-containing drinks will only have a positive effect on the condition of the body. With the right behavioral attitudes, a person can easily and painlessly give up alcohol. In this case, the expression "you can't suddenly stop drinking" is just an excuse for those who are not yet ready to lead a sober life.
And for people who have been diagnosed with the 1st or 2nd stage of alcoholism, abruptly stopping alcohol can really be harmful. Typically, they face real withdrawal. Withdrawal syndrome reveals itself in all its glory. In the acute stage, this can cause seizures and fainting, which has negative health consequences.
Why does the drug addict's body react so violently to a decrease in the concentration of ethanol in the blood? If a person drank for a long time, the functions of internal systems changed significantly under the influence of alcohol - the synthesis of enzymes and hormones was disrupted and the organs began to malfunction. It takes time for the body to recover after stopping drinking alcohol - the detoxification process lasts at least a month.
If alcoholism is diagnosed, the process of detoxification of the body should take place under the supervision of specialists. In some cases, it is necessary to stop the patient's medication if excessive alcohol consumption occurs. Since sudden abstinence from alcohol can have negative consequences on a person's health, it is impossible to practice various folk methods to get rid of excessive alcohol consumption.
Benefits of a sober lifestyle
Getting rid of alcohol addiction is a long journey that can be accompanied by many relapses. It's a real test of will and endurance. But as a reward, you get all the benefits of sober living.
What positive changes will occur after you stop drinking alcohol?
- Excellent health
Alcohol consumption negatively affects the condition of most organs. Even "weak" alcoholic beverages harm the liver, kidneys, pancreas, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract. Stopping drinking alcohol is an effective prevention against many serious illnesses that lead to premature death.
Generally speaking, a sober lifestyle strengthens the immune system. Say "no" to alcohol and you will see that you will get less sick in winter. From the first month after stopping alcohol, the condition of your skin, hair and nails improves. You will notice that your appearance is much better.
- Sweet Dreams
There is an opinion that a few glasses of wine in the evening help you fall asleep better. It's a myth that it's time to stop believing. When the effects of alcohol wear off, a person may wake up, disrupting their rest. Sleep after drinking even a small amount of alcohol is restless and superficial.
After 2-3 weeks of complete abstinence from alcohol, sleep is restored. Your rest doesn't disrupt anything, which means you feel cheerful in the morning.
- Feel happy
Many people think that alcohol is a great antidepressant. But the fact is that it only gives a good mood for a short time. And then apathy, aggression and guilt follow. The whole range of negative emotions disappears, you just need to drink a little more. This is how psychological dependence on alcohol is formed - a person ceases to enjoy life without the stimulation of alcoholic beverages.
By living a sober life, you will gradually learn to be happy without alcohol. By giving up alcohol, the body will "resist" this, demanding another dose of doping. But only a month will pass and you will look at the world with completely different eyes.
- Excellent memory
Scientists have found that alcohol consumption reduces a person's memory capacity, because with the development of addiction, ethyl alcohol gradually destroys the neuronal connections in the brain. An "experienced" alcoholic will have difficulty remembering an address or a date.
But the disruption of neuronal connections is a reversible process. All you have to do is stop drinking. By giving up alcohol, you will notice that your thoughts become clearer - all information is better absorbed and remembered, and overall brain performance improves. It is believed that memory efficiency can be restored in 2 to 3 months on average.
- Financial stability
Positive changes in the body aren't the only benefit of quitting alcohol. Another nice benefit is saving money. High-quality alcoholic drinks are expensive – this can be a big hit to the budget.
Calculate for yourself how much you will save per month if you give up your daily portion of wine before bed.
9 Tips to Help You Quit Alcohol
No matter how long it took you to decide to stop drinking alcohol, transitioning to a sober lifestyle involves major changes in your life. You will have to change your established habits and work on yourself.
The following recommendations will help you give up alcohol in the early stages of drinking:
- Take a sober break
For those who cannot get used to the idea that from now on there will not be a drop of alcohol in their life, you can try to trick your brain. A good option is to take a "sober break. "In other words, first set an achievable goal: not drink at all for 30 days. It will be a kind of break from the lifestyle established with regular consumption of alcohol.
Perhaps after experiencing all the positive changes after quitting alcohol, a short break will inspire you to quit drinking forever.
- Find an interesting hobby
Replace bad habits with useful ones. This will distract you during the first, hardest weeks after giving up alcohol completely. An interesting hobby will calm you down and give you positive emotions. If previously only alcohol brought positivity, now it will be a hobby.
Think about the business you would like to do and get started without hesitation.
- Relieve sports-related irritation
Withdrawal syndrome is certainly accompanied by mood swings. Sadness, overwhelming joy, aggression, irritability: an addict can feel the full range of emotions in an hour. This causes discomfort not only for him, but also for those around him.
According to narcologists, sports will help the body after completely giving up alcohol. Physical activity will relieve psycho-emotional stress and distract attention from negative thoughts. Getting used to exercising regularly can be difficult, but with time it will become easier and the effort will be greatly rewarded. You will become calmer, in addition, you will get your body in shape and strengthen your immune system.
Physical activity can contribute to alcohol abstinence at the initial stage, during the "pink period". In this case, it is advisable to obtain prior authorization from a doctor.
- Start planning your day
If you're giving up alcohol, you'll need to learn to plan your day (at least at first). Leave as few free "windows" in your schedule as possible - then you won't be tempted to spend a boring evening with a glass of wine or beer. Literally in a month you will no longer have to strain yourself - you will have many interesting hobbies.
- Show willpower
Most likely, sooner or later you will face temptation - a party with friends, a feast with loved ones. Show willpower and give up alcohol. At first it may seem unusual, but soon you will learn to have fun without doping.
During periods of abstinence, even temporary, from alcohol, it is not necessary to stay at home. Meet friends and relatives. But just make sure in advance that there will be enough non-alcoholic drinks at the party.
- Tell the world about your desire
Share your decision to stop drinking with those around you, at least with your loved ones. Friends and family members will definitely support your goals. And with such a base you can overcome any difficulties. In addition, you minimize the risk of breakdown - knowing that you have seriously decided to give up alcohol, your friends will not persuade you to drink.
Blogging on the Internet will help someone. It motivates. Share your successes and failures with your subscribers, get their support.
- Start Keeping a Sobriety Journal
Not ready to expose your goals and plans to the public? Then start a personal journal. This is also helpful in getting rid of bad habits.
On the pages of your diary, write down the process of stopping alcohol from day to day: physical and emotional state after stopping drinking alcohol, future plans and goals.
- If you make a mistake, don't be upset
No one is immune from mistakes on the path to achieving a goal. Given how difficult it is to break bad habits, don't worry if you fail when trying to quit drinking for good. It is not a failure, but simply a difficulty on the right path. Let this be extra motivation to not fail next time.
- Take advantage of behavior change technology
The goal of a sober lifestyle deserves respect. But you don't have to go it alone. The process of completely giving up alcohol will be much easier if you seek help from a psychologist.
Behavioral psychology, based on the modification of destructive behaviors, proves effective in the fight against addictions. Behavior change technology has shown great results. The course will help you quickly and effectively get rid of your alcohol addiction.
Taking the course will help you develop positive attitudes and stop drinking alcohol. You will learn healthy behavior, which is necessary if you have set yourself the goal of finally saying a categorical "no" to alcohol. The training will help you transition to a sober lifestyle with minimal physical and psychological discomfort. You will realize how good it is to live without alcohol - you will be accompanied by a stable emotional state, high performance and good health.
Work with a psychologist on behavior change technology lasts up to 6 weeks. You don't need to share with your friends or even your household that you are taking training. The courses are strictly confidential and you can take them at a time that suits you. Specialists answer all questions and provide advice via email, chat and telephone.