Alcohol is one of the most popular recreational beverages in the world. However, it's also a highly addictive substance. According to the American Addiction Centers, one in twelve American adults are hooked on alcohol.
Quitting alcohol can provide plenty of physical and psychological benefits for an addict. For instance, your chances of developing liver cirrhosis reduce drastically. You're also able to rekindle strained relationships when you finally utilize some available resources to help you stop drinking .
Here are 5 things that happen to your body when you stop drinking:
When you first quit drinking alcohol, your body will go through an intense withdrawal. Some common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
Some of these effects can be life-threatening depending on how dependent you were on alcohol. In most cases, these withdrawal symptoms will last for a few days and you'll eventually feel like your old self. These side effects shouldn't deter you from visiting an addiction treatment center to get the help you need.
Drinking too much alcohol can cause an array of adverse health issues such as cancer, liver ailments, obesity, and cardiovascular complications. But once you quit, the body gradually starts regenerating. Your liver does such a good job of filtering out toxins from your body. Naturally, abusing alcohol causes this vital organ to overwork. It's important to stop drinking if you truly want to repair your liver and recover your health.
Your skin is the largest and most important organ in the human body. However, drinking too much alcohol dehydrates the skin, causing visible cracks and scales on your face. Quitting alcohol reduces your chances of contracting skin cancer and rejuvenates your skin's natural glow. You'll start experiencing noticeable changes to your complexion after a week of giving up liquor. Interestingly, alcohol is listed as a known carcinogen − it's in the same category as tobacco smoke and acid mist. That's even more reason to stop drinking.
Although alcohol is a depressant, it prevents you from achieving REM sleep. You've probably experienced one of those restless nights that leave you feeling exhausted after having one too many drinks. When you consume alcohol, the liver works hard to break it down and get rid of it quickly. This metabolism process usually stimulates brain activity and disrupts your normal sleep pattern − not to mention the frequent toilet visits you have to make to empty your bowels. Gladly, you'll get better high-quality sleep once you stop drinking.
Alcohol contains vast amounts of calories that could trigger weight gain. For instance, a single shot of vodka contains 97 calories and one bottle of beer (330ml) has around 116 calories. People also tend to make impulsive diet decisions when they're intoxicated. You'll be more inclined to order a large bucket of chicken wings and French fries when you're having a fun night out drinking with friends. The good news is, your weight will start normalizing when you quit alcohol and adopt healthy lifestyle habits.
These remarkable changes happen to your body when you stop drinking, so make that choice today.
