If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol use disorder, contact the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Administration (SAMHSA) national helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment centers in your area. It might seem obvious, but quitting drinking means you won't have a hangover anymore. Nausea, headaches, or tiredness you may have felt the morning after drinking could be replaced by a better mood and a sense of productivity. Since the start of a new year, many people are rethinking their drinking habits, there's no better time than now to delve into the science and ask experts what really happens when alcohol is removed from the equation for a month (or more).Quitting drinking can make your life feel better in many ways, in addition to helping your long-term health.
If you stop drinking completely, one of the first things you'll notice is an improvement in energy levels, better sleep, and an easier time to wake up in the morning. In addition, by making the decision to stop drinking, you could reduce the risk of developing many serious alcohol-related illnesses. Excessive drinking (at least 15 drinks for men and eight or more for women a week) can affect the organ and cause fatty liver, cirrhosis and other problems. If you drink a lot, you're at greater risk of developing certain diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and strokes. While some people find that drinking alcohol helps them fall asleep more quickly, the quality of their sleep is affected.
Dry January may be beneficial for those who drink more than the two recommended drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. Studies have found an association between light or moderate alcohol consumption and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Whether you drink to excess or to excess, excessive alcohol consumption can carry some serious risks to your health. However, some people may think that they cannot stop drinking because they are used to drinking too much or for too long. Deciding to reduce slowly or stop drinking is a personal choice, but you need to be honest with yourself and your abilities.
Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can cloud your perception of distances and volumes, or slow down and impair your motor skills. It can also prevent injuries, accidents, and risky sexual behavior related to drinking and poisoning. Heavy drinkers and people with alcohol use disorders may experience uncomfortable mental and physical health effects when they cut back on alcohol or stop drinking abruptly. Withdrawal symptoms may include sweating, tremors, and sleepiness. Dr. John Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board certified in addiction medicine and preventive medicine.
He is the medical director of Alcohol Recovery Medicine. Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical researcher at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He explains that quitting alcohol can bring about positive changes in your life."When people stop drinking excessively they often experience improved energy levels, better sleep quality, improved moods and increased productivity", says Dr.
Umhau.
