Quitting drinking can have a positive impact on your mental health, but the timeline for improvement can vary from person to person. Generally, you can expect to start feeling better within three to six weeks after you stop drinking. However, if you don't notice any improvement in your mood after this time, it's important to speak to your doctor as you may need treatment for long-term symptoms or an undiagnosed mental health condition. It's also important to note that feelings of depression after quitting drinking are a normal side effect of long-term alcohol use. Depression in people with alcohol use disorder can be caused by an existing mental illness or it can develop after they stop drinking.
In either case, treatment at a dual-diagnosis addiction treatment center can help manage symptoms of depression and ensure long-term sobriety. Withdrawal symptoms usually start within the first 24 hours after you stop drinking, but this timeline can vary depending on how often you drink and how much alcohol you consume. Lowering your blood pressure is an important part of quitting drinking, as it can help reduce the risk of future health problems. Male fertility can also be affected by excessive alcohol consumption, but these effects are believed to be reversible when drinking is stopped. Lucie Hospital can provide invaluable support when it comes to quitting alcohol while dealing with depression.
Additionally, cutting out the empty calories in alcoholic beverages can lead to a reduction of 2000 calories by the end of the second week. If you don't address any underlying mental health issues after quitting drinking, both problems may remain present and affect your quality of life. Some people may drink alcohol as a coping strategy for existing depression, while others may develop depression due to substance use. Quitting alcohol can also improve skin conditions such as eczema, hives, psoriasis, or simply itchy skin. Health professionals can offer addiction treatment, detoxification, support and emergency services to help you in your recovery process. Stopping drinking too much or too often will likely lead to an improvement in your health conditions and the negative effects of alcohol.
However, if a person hasn't addressed their mental health problems after stopping drinking, both of these problems can remain present and affect the person's quality of life. When you drink, you usually fall into a deep sleep and miss out on the important rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. You're supposed to have between six and seven cycles of REM sleep per night, but when you've been drinking you normally only have one or two. Quitting alcohol produces a long list of physical health benefits that lead to a longer life and a more satisfying lifestyle. Other studies have also shown favorable results and improvements in mental health among heavy drinkers who decided to stop drinking. If you have problems with alcohol and find it difficult to quit smoking, you may want to think about seeking support.
