What three months without alcohol does to your body

12 Jul What three months without alcohol does to your body

Ellie is also an NCTJ-qualified journalist and has a distinction in MA Magazine Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and a first-class degree in Journalism from Cardiff University. Previously, Ellie has worked with BBC Good Food, The Big Issue, and the Nottingham Post, as well as freelancing as an arts and entertainment writer alongside her studies. When she’s not got her nose in a book, you’ll probably find Ellie jogging around her local park, indulging in an insta-worthy restaurant, or watching Netflix’s newest true crime documentary. According to Cancer Research UK, alcohol is responsible for around 4,400 breast cancer cases in the UK every year. Alcohol is one of the causes of feeling bloated or gassy, and experiencing stomach pain and even diarrhoea. Then there’s the high-calorie count in alcohol that can increase the amount of cholesterol in our arteries, heightening the risk of a heart attack because of the blockage.

Not drinking alcohol can reduce the amount of fat in your liver

In the early stages of liver damage, quitting alcohol can allow the liver to heal itself and regain proper function. There are several ways alcohol can affect your physical fitness. Many alcoholic drinks are high in ‘empty calories’, which can quickly lead to weight gain. Plus, alcohol impairs your body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients from foods. Lastly, unhealthy alcohol use often goes hand in hand with unhealthy eating, loss of appetite, or disrupted mealtimes.

Enhanced Energy Levels

Alcohol changes levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain, which can worsen anxiety. By replacing these empty calories with healthy, nutrient-dense food you will be feeling incredible in no time. Here are the major benefits you’ll notice after a 7-day break from alcohol. Not only are there great benefits mentally, physically and financially, but I’ve got the best mocktail recipes to try so you can still enjoy that Friday afternoon drink.

By quitting, your body can re-establish its regular sleep patterns. That means more restorative, uninterrupted sleep, better energy levels, and improved cognitive function throughout the day. Chronic alcohol consumption is linked to a wide range of serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, liver failure, and even certain types of cancer. The longer a person continues to drink, the higher the risk of developing these life-threatening diseases. Without alcohol interfering with natural sleep processes, individuals experience deeper, more restful sleep. This leads to increased energy levels, better mood regulation, and improved cognitive function.

About Soberlink

Additionally, with its sharing capabilities, you can have your community help support you through any hiccups you may experience by viewing your daily, weekly, and/or monthly progress. While a normal piece of pen paper is sufficient, Soberlink’s system has progress tracking directly built into its system. Once alcohol is no longer in the picture, your sleep and overall health can begin to improve. Now that you understand the steps and benefits, it’s time to take action. Reach out to the Alcohol-Free Program like Project 90 to begin your journey. Commit to the process, engage fully with the resources provided, and stay focused on your goals.

Over time, this process helped me unlearn the addictive drug addiction treatment behavior by rewiring my brain’s response to alcohol. I drank daily for a decade, often feeling trapped in a cycle of drinking and regret. I knew I needed to make a change, but traditional recovery programs didn’t resonate with me. I wasn’t ready to declare myself powerless over alcohol or commit to total abstinence from the start.

You can create a plan of practical tips to support your mental wellbeing with our Mind Plan quiz. If you drink nearly every day, you might be more at risk of having high blood pressure. If left untreated, high blood pressure can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

• Let’s dive into what you can expect when you ditch the drinks, the benefits that come with it, and some fun, alcohol-free drink recipes to keep your taste buds happy.
• The flexibility of this method allows each person to set their own goals—whether that means drinking less, quitting entirely, or simply gaining more control over their drinking habits.
• These improvements range from immediate changes, such as better hydration, to long-term benefits like a decreased risk of cancer and heart disease.
• This is why we tend to have to pee more after we drink, and can quickly become dehydrated.
• Binge drinking can lead to consuming an extra 600 calories or more in a day.

Many people struggling with alcohol dependence report experiencing brain fog, confusion, and difficulty focusing on daily tasks. Achieving and maintaining sobriety is a unique journey for each individual, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The key to a successful alcohol-free life lies in identifying and embracing resources that align with your personal goals and lifestyle.

Meanwhile, a study published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online found that “alcohol intake has a detrimental effect on semen volume”. Of course, this benefit depends on sticking to the recommended levels of sugar in your daily eating habits (30g per day for adults), rather than simply cutting out alcohol. One of these is cirrhosis, a very serious form of liver damage that leads to scar tissue that prevents the organ from working properly. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, yellow skin and in extreme cases coughing up blood. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcohol misuse, or need support in regard to consumption, visit your GP or find out more via Drink Aware or the NHS website.

Over time, you’ll notice fewer sick days and a stronger ability to heal. My story isn’t about white-knuckling through cravings or declaring alcohol the enemy. Instead, it’s about finding a different way—one that allowed me to break free without forcing abstinence or labeling myself.

This emotional stability is crucial for handling the pressures and challenges of high-level professional roles. Your brain is your most valuable asset, and alcohol has a significant impact on it. After just a few drinks, you might experience slower reaction times and reduced coordination. For professionals who need to make quick, strategic decisions, even moderate alcohol consumption can be risky. When you stop drinking alcohol, your skin benefits from improved hydration and better overall health.

• When you stop drinking and start focusing on your health, you’ll likely start to feel better once your body is properly nourished.
• Dry January is an initiative of the charity organization Alcohol Change United Kingdom, which encourages people to try giving up alcohol for 1 month at the start of the year.
• ‍Not only is regular movement and exercise beneficial for your overall health, it also can help you remain alcohol-free.
• Now, after five years of sobriety, I know this couldn’t be further from the truth.

These improvements range from immediate changes, such as better hydration, to long-term benefits like a decreased risk of cancer and heart disease. This lowers your chances of liver diseases like cirrhosis and fatty liver. Your heart health improves as your circulation and blood pressure normalize, reducing your risk of heart disease. Even your immune system gets stronger, helping you fight off infections more easily. While initial improvements in grey and white matter can be observed within the first few weeks of abstinence, ongoing recovery is evident with prolonged sobriety. Looking back, I realize I had tried these habit-change techniques many times before I discovered TSM, but it was always a struggle.

Talking with a professional or a support group can help you learn strategies for combating cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and other challenges. At Monument, you can meet with a therapist, join virtual support groups, and talk to a physician about medication to help curb cravings. My relationships with my close friends and family have improved tremendously.