Aha! I know exactly what you mean Aaron. Alcohol free benefits that I have experienced are an improved sleep pattern, better skin, increased mental calrity (with time) and an overall feeling of wellbeing. this has resulted in better mood management (I lose my temper far slower if ever now.). Last week I hit 6 months more improvements to discuss. I am really struggling. Many of the benefits listed above such as improved memory and ability to focus and concentrate, will continue. And Yes! Daily Tips for a Healthy Mind to Your Inbox, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline, Regional brain volume changes in alcohol-dependent individuals during early abstinence: associations with relapse following treatment, Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Use on Facial Aging in Women: Results of a Large Multinational, Multiracial, Cross-sectional Survey, Update on Osteoporosis Screening and Management, Neurocircuitry of alcohol addiction: synthesis from animal models, Effect of Alcohol on Hippocampal-Dependent Plasticity and Behavior: Role of Glutamatergic Synaptic Transmission, Neighborhoods, alcohol outlets and intimate partner violence: addressing research gaps in explanatory mechanisms. I have lost 15 pounds and I now get more of a reward from knowing Im healthier and the cravings have subsided. i just need to know i will be okay. Have not had alcohol for 6 weeks and lost another 5 lbs in 2 weeks. Alas NO weight loss, NO skin glow. after reading your response i felt compelled to answer. Then I started drinking every day after work. For the past five years, Ive tried to keep my drinks to fewer than 7 a day. He said everything looks fine. Its personal, private, and powerful. Thanks for this article. I was a very heavy drinker, I would say close to a handle of Vodka a day, everyday for over 3 years. Itchy all over before. I have high blood pressure but its normal again. Its a difficult journey, I wont lie but oh my god, the feeling I have when asked what I want to drink and to be able to say with a sense of belief in myself that I actually DONT drink any more. 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. Gotta say, glad I realized what I was doing before it was too late. It is not the real me. I like to drink the majority of the day on Saturday and Sunday. MAY WE CELEBRATE A NEW YEAR I haveso many questions I need answered related to health. I had gone carefree for two years until my PCP had concern about my liver studies. I stopped binge drinking 5 weeks ago. I hope it goes away soon. Better nutrition, more consistent workouts. I never saw my dad sober too much ad he had better reasons to drink like Vietnam I also endured countless hate filled speeches that drove me to believe in the white race is the best race mentality. Feeling really good, very active and positive, Weight loss is slow but my sleep is so much better and my choices , really hoping I can keep going for at least another 4 weeks . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I finally feel Im at a place where I wont be looking back. Ive just managed to get through Christmas and now only got new year to worry about. Alcohol Health Res World. Done a 90 day break. Now I M 35 years Was A Chronic Alchoholic for atleast 14 years ..Now Quit Alchohol since 5 months without Any MedicationOn 3 rd March 2021 (last day of my Alchoholic life)when I see tears in mother due to mine Alchoholism then I realised that Ill never ever touch Alchohol bcz every drop of Alchohol in my body will give Drop of tears in moms eye that day I promise to my mom n god that I will never ever take Alchohol in my life .My Mother is Reason for Quiet Of mine bad habit. 4 Stages of Alcohol and Drug Rehab Recovery, What to Do If Dry January Didnt Work for You, The Risks of Using Alcohol to Relieve Anxiety, Dry January: The Benefits of a Month Without Alcohol, The Risks of Drinking Alcohol While Taking Lexapro, Sleep Problems Associated With Alcohol Misuse, The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Medications, Mild, Moderate, and Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms. Stop counting. Its great. 28 days in to what I now believe will be my freedom. Often people report needing fewer sick days from work, and your heart is a whole lot healthier than it was 12 months ago. The days seem sooo much longer. No groups just lifestyle change and personal accountability. After that time I saw the benefits, I have completed a year & I never want to go back. I drink a lot more water. Im not smug because I know this is a long journey. Sleep has an impact on so much of our everyday functioning and if it improves from a reduction in alcohol you might find that you dont wake up as often and you experience more deep, restorative sleep than you did before. Make sure that you meditate at least 11 minutes a day. My target is 100 days which I will hit on 20/01/22. I just lost my nephew from vodka. When I say or write this I always include no jinx because I know this is precarious and I dont want to ever be over-confident. I feel edgy and moody. I just want to know will things get better.i I know im still early in recovery but I have good energy days and days i cant get up i and im not balanced. Remember that being alcohol free is a life choice. The fight can be incredibly challenging, but in the end I know Ill be so much happier. They can give you herbs like milk thistle for your liver/digestion too and help correct any dysbiosis. Good luck to all. Hmmm. This happens when you start to feel that now that you have taken six months over you have achieved everything and there is nothing more for you to learn. That patient died. Health and clear mind is my priority now. WebThe answer to this question is a no. I managed to walk out of icu and leave drinking behind me. Its ok to make your own path and, where possible, be patient with the process. I know when I was at about this point there were a lot of scary things going on I was worried wouldnt go away. I decided on New Years to only drink on weekends. Just dont have any cravings now or desire to drink . I like keeping track of the health benefits I get after one week, two weeks, three weeks etc. My skin is now clear, I work out every day and actually like it, my head is clear, Im more pleasant, Ive repaired relationships and am down to the weight I was in my 20s. If the wife needs fuel in her car or the kids need medication I can go out at anytime and do it. I can relate to the othersDef feel mostly better. [online] Available at: [Accessed 15 October 2020]. My sleep is already better. WebBack in my twenties, I claimed that a nightly glass of wine helped me calm down enough to drift off to sleep. I mean, Im of Swiss decent so naturally I eat chocolate every day but not THAT MUCH. BLESSINGS TO ALL. Everything would have been ok if I didnt drink. Im self employed. 3 months sober now, the struggle is real, everyday I want a reason to drink but Im pushing through. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. And as a 5' 2" woman, it was obvious that I'd gained weight in my stomach and lower back. I think the longer its been going on and the more you drink the more this can occur. I feel so much better too. I like the way I feel. However, every couple of months or so, usually when a special occasion pops up, Ill enjoy one glass of wine or a simple cocktail (like a vodka soda). Stick with it, go for a walk, think of how far you have come and the life you can have. Before lockdown 1 I had stopped for 4 months then gave in Ive drank constantly since and Im about to embark on AF Again. I felt like I did not know what to do with myself and aggitated. My head is still in a fog which it has been for years. When you stop drinking, you have the opportunity to:Improve your mood, anxiety, and stress levelsGet better sleep and feel more restedFocus on having better relationships with your friends and familyHave better attention and concentration in school and workFeel more energetic and productive Has anyone noticed, like me, that their eyesight is better in the morning? For some, they find that meditation, reading or other activities such as a pottery class, become more possible. 7. Ive put this down to lockdown and having worked from home since the start of Covid-19 and needing to relax, this obviously isnt helping though. Im at the 7 month mark. I have found a new love for excersize. Ive been doing this for years and I really want to stop. Good luck.. Not going back, Its been a month now and l havent had a beer or smoked a joint. One of the most common side effects of giving up alcohol is insomnia.This is because alcohol acts as a sedative, so when it's no longer in your system, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Kidneys and liver function tests are normal. When my inner child gets bratty and tries to tell me what to do, I can say STFU, you dont call the shots any more I do! My appetite decreased dramatically. This is my second time going clean for three months. Sydney Wingfield, 15 Lowest-Calorie Alcohols For Weight Loss, What To Say To A Friend Who Drinks Too Much, The 12 Best Drinks To Help You Lose Weight, How To Get More Deep Sleep, Per A Sleep Expert, The 15 Best Water Bottles For Your Workouts, 20 Super-Simple Ways To Relieve Your Stress ASAP, 14 Ways To Get Past A Weight-Loss Plateau, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. I no longer want to waste precious time drinking my life into numbness. Im 62 and have been a heavy drinker for well over 20 years. I have been sober for a month now. Sharper and deeper thinking. Verywell Mind's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Feeling great except like some other comments I thought I would loss weight but have actually gained due to my cravings. I would resign myself to feeling as though I would never be able to fix a bad situation I was just not strong enough or good enough. But, simple truth is, its no way to live. Increased quality of sleep can have some positive effects for many people. Its important to recognise the small wins and keep an eye out for the inner critic that might downplay what youve done well. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. So true. The first few months of sobriety might come with depression. My sleep is horrible stillThank you, Hi Diane everyone goes at their own pace I am sure. Initially I lost 20 lbs once I quit but getting back into a regular powerlifting routine (almost obsessive) I have gained a decent amount of good weight back. The day before NYs Eve 21, I stopped drinking alcohol completely. I do have lots of regrets and lots of inner healing and self love and forgiveness I still need to work on. Heres why you should celebrate being sober: This is to remind you that everything youve done is worth it. If you read my 2 comments. Good luck to everyone else out there! This is when the really good stuff starts to happen. I was always counting the calories of the alcohol in my diet, but often it would make me wake up at night and binge eat and ruin my day. After 1 month I am feeling really great, evenings are so much more and waking up without the effect of alcohol is a pleasure. Web50 Before-And-After Pics Show What Happens When You Stop Drinking. Now, as the I sleep better, look better, am enjoying meditation and exercise, am nicer to be around (Im told) and go to bed counting my blessings and looking for ways to be a better person in a difficult world. I have noticed a huge difference in my sleep (also no more hangovers!!!) I felt better but the urges were still difficult to subdue. Thank you for sharing. Today is day 76. I had my last sip November 30th. Making me reflect on why I drank, what it was doing to me and my family and what had happened with alcahol in my parents lives, that still continues. Good for you. of sobriety. Thats fantastic! Im 65; my bad drinking habits go all the way back to when I started college. Hi,Ive been a light but regular drinker for years,Mr Average.Now retired, found more time to open a bottle. Hang in there my friend, its hard. As far as chocolate was concerned I used very high cocoa level dark chocolate. I drank nearly every day previously some wine each day. 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