What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

Choosing to pursue your sobriety is a great step towards a happier, healthier life. But what happens when you stop drinking alcohol? You’ll experience both ups and downs when you cut out alcohol, but ultimately, the benefits are well worth the decision and will positively change your life.

Magnolia Recovery is a safe, temptation-free environment outside of Charleston, SC for women to work through the 12-steps. Contact us to learn more.

Side Effects of Quitting Drinking

If you are addicted to alcohol, drink very heavily, and/or have been drinking for a long time, you may experience one or more of the following side effects when you quit drinking:

· Withdrawal. When you are addicted to alcohol and stop drinking, you’ll likely undergo withdrawal. Some symptoms of withdrawal include nausea, sweating, increased heart rate, and more. Before you quit drinking cold turkey, you need to have a plan in place to prepare for withdrawal.

· Alcohol cravings. It’s also very common for people to experience alcohol cravings when quitting drinking. You’re likely conditioned to reach for a drink to cope with your feelings, help you through a social event, or even get through the day. These urges can be quite strong, but over time, they will subside as you continue on the path to sobriety.

· Sugar cravings. Alcohol releases dopamine—the neurotransmitter that causes feelings of pleasure—in the brain. The same occurs when you eat sweets, which is why you may crave sugar after quitting alcohol. Plus, those who have struggled with alcoholism tend to have low blood sugar due to liver damage. This also contributes to wanting to eat sugary treats.

If you’re a light drinker, you likely won’t experience these symptoms. Rather, you’ll only reap the benefits of quitting drinking altogether.

Benefits of Quitting Drinking

There are so many benefits of cutting alcohol out of your life, some of which include the following:

· Improved sleep quality

· Increased energy

· Mental clarity

· Less feelings of sickness

· Improved skin

· Weight loss

· Improved liver, heart, and digestive health

· Decreased risk of accidents

In the long run, eliminating alcohol will allow you to live a much healthier and balanced lifestyle.

Have a Plan in Place

If you believe that you’re dependent on alcohol and are ready to quit, it’s important to have a plan in place before you do so. We recommend taking the following steps:

· Tell your support system that you’ve decided to quit drinking. They will be able to help you as you start on your path to sobriety.

· Contact your doctor to determine the best way to deal with withdrawal. Depending on your level of addiction, they may prescribe medicine to help alleviate the symptoms as you work through them at home. Or, they may recommend undergoing withdrawal in a hospital with the help of a medical team.

· Seek professional assistance for recovery. A safe and structured program is necessary for your recovery and to provide you with the tools to remain sober.

Seek Assistance from Magnolia Recovery

We hope you have a better understanding of what happens when you stop drinking alcohol. If you believe that you or a loved one is addicted to alcohol, Magnolia Recovery can assist you. We offer women a safe, temptation-free environment to work through the 12-steps. Start getting the help and support that you need—contact us today to learn more.