Alcohol addiction is something that impacts countless individuals and families all over the world. Even though drinking alcohol is popular at certain social events, alcohol consumption can also have a negative impact on your well-being. The effects of an alcoholic drink on your mental health are still being actively studied, and people who engage in binge drinking could develop significant health problems.
Even though the occasional glass of red wine may have its health benefits, it is also important to take a look at what happens to your body if you go one month alcohol-free. If you can forgo that glass of wine or beer, what should you expect?
Physical Benefits of Going Alcohol-Free for a Month
A tremendous amount of research has been done showing that cutting out alcohol for a single month can lead to a number of positive effects on your physical health. It can make a dramatic impact on your overall health, and some of the biggest benefits include:
- You provide your liver with a nice break. Your liver is responsible for filtering toxins from your body. If you are not overwhelming your body with alcohol, your liver will be able to remove other toxins from your bloodstream. It could have a significant impact on your overall health, reducing your cholesterol levels and preventing liver disease.
- Alcohol is a natural depressant. That is why when you drink alcohol, you start to feel tired. If you are able to go for a whole month without drinking, you may find that you have more energy during the day.
- Even though alcohol is a depressant, alcohol can also make it difficult for you to stay asleep at night. If you remove alcohol from your body for an entire month, you may find that you have an easier time sleeping through the night, which will give you more energy during the day.
- If you stop drinking alcohol for a whole month, you can reduce the stress placed on your GI tract. It could help you with bloating.
- Alcohol is also an inflammatory agent. If you stop drinking alcohol for a month, you will have less inflammation throughout your body, getting rid of aches and pains.
- Stopping alcohol can help avoid high blood pressure and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
So, if you want to improve your health, consider going alcohol-free for a month or beyond.
Mental Health Benefits of No Alcohol for a Month
Even though avoiding alcohol can be beneficial for your physical health, staying away from alcohol can be good for your mental health as well. Alcohol has been associated with significant mental health issues. Therefore, if you can cut alcohol out of your diet for an entire month, you may enjoy some major mental health benefits.
You may find that you have an easier time thinking clearly, and you should be less anxious. Overall, removing alcohol from your diet could also make you feel happier. You will have more energy to take on the day, and you may have an easier time accomplishing everything on your to-do list.
This can create a positive feedback loop, making you feel better about yourself. Therefore, removing alcohol could also be beneficial for your self-confidence and self-esteem.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid of the Effects of Alcohol on Your Body?
It can take a while for your body to detox entirely. There are a number of factors that will determine how long it takes for you to purge alcohol from your body. Some of the factors that will play a role include:
- The amount of time you have spent drinking regularly
- The amount of alcohol you drink when you decide to drink
- Certain medications that you might take
- Whether you use illicit or street medications
- Whether you have a substance abuse or addiction problem
- Any underline chronic health conditions you might have, such as high blood pressure, kidney issues, or liver issues
- Your age
It may take a while for you to get rid of all of the alcohol from your body, but it can lead to a significant array of health benefits. Therefore, regardless of whether you have a substance abuse issue or not, you should consider trying to go alcohol-free for at least a month.
What Happens If You Remove Alcohol From Your Diet Entirely?
Even though there are plenty of people who like to drink socially, you might be interested in getting rid of alcohol from your diet entirely. If you want to remove alcohol from your routine, there are a number of significant benefits you can take away. For example, if you are able to go without alcohol for three or four months, it can have a dramatic impact on your physical and mental health.
Sobriety is an important life decision. You will feel better physically and mentally. Even though it may be difficult for you to avoid drinking anything at all, you will find that you don’t need alcohol to have fun and feel better about your relationship with alcohol. Even if people around you are drinking, you can drink something without alcohol in it and make yourself a part of the conversation. Therefore, consider getting rid of alcohol from your diet.
Early Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder
According to the CDC, heavy alcohol consumption means consuming at least 15 alcoholic beverages per week for men, or 8 alcoholic beverages per week for women.
What’s more, binge drinking is defined as having five drinks or more within two hours.
Heavy alcohol use can cause serious health risks such as:
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Acute pancreatitis
- Hepatitis C
- Cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
- Brain damage
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- digestive problems
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- alcohol overdose
As a result, if you’re going to try to stop drinking altogether, you’ll want to do so gradually. This way, you won’t experience any withdrawal symptoms from excessive drinking.
If you’re planning on quitting alcohol completely, you should first consult with your doctor. He or she can help you figure out what you should do during this transition period.
In addition, you should also talk to your family members about the issue. They may not be aware of any problems you are experiencing and they can help you in finding a solution.
Reach Out To a Professional Who Can Help You Address Alcohol Abuse
There are lots of people who try to go dry for a month, particularly after the New Year. Many people call it dry January. If you are able to quit drinking, you may enjoy better sleep, experience weight loss, and improve your overall quality of life.
Quitting alcohol and abstaining from alcoholic beverages entirely can be a challenge, but there are professionals who can help you deal with the cravings. If you or someone you know needs help with alcohol use disorder, it might be time to consider alcohol treatment programs. At Riverside Recovery of Tampa, we have a variety of treatment options for alcohol abuse available.
Contact us today to speak to a member of our admissions team to learn more about our treatment program.
National Library of Medicine–Moderate Red Wine Consumption Increases the Expression of Longevity-Associated Genes in Controlled Human Populations and Extends Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster
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National Library of Medicine–Alcohol liver disease: A review of current therapeutic approaches to achieve long-term abstinence
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National Library of Medicine–Daytime Sleepiness: Associations with Alcohol Use and Sleep Duration in Americans
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