What Amazing Things Happen When You Quit Drinking And Get Sober
You don’t need to be an Alcoholics Anonymous level alcoholic to quit drinking. Even in smaller amounts, alcohol can negatively impact your physical and mental well-being.
There are countless benefits to quitting. If you’re tired of holding yourself back and curious about what comes next, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve been in your shoes and had to quit drinking myself, which led me to write a book titled _Alcohol Lied to Me _that helped over 200k people overcome their addiction and cravings. Every Wednesday, I host a YouTube live support session [https://www.youtube.com/stopdrinkingexpert] where you are always welcome!
Now, what happens when you quit drinking? And even more important, the question we all ask ourselves: _do I have a problem with alcohol?_
Do I have a problem with alcohol?
The fact that you are reading this post is already a hint. Although you may only be curious about the subject, you may have wondered whether you personally may have a problem.
Most people that occasionally drink in excess won’t admit they’re harming themselves. The truth is that people don’t like when others criticize alcohol. It’s only natural – it’s deeply ingrained and rooted in our culture. Most of us have gotten wasted at some point, and we’re alive and kicking.
One counter-argument I’ve encountered frequently is that “_a lot of adults drink regularly, and they’re not addicts._” But that’s the problem right there. We are programmed to believe that alcohol is a normal part of our lives and socializing activities when it shouldn’t be. We should treat alcohol as a drug – it’s nothing but an addictive, harmful toxin.
I’m not here to dictate whether you have a problem with drinking or not, as that’s for each person to find out. My point is that a substance so addictive and damaging shouldn’t be so easily accessible. Even teens can buy gigantic bottles nowadays. What is the world coming to?
Many people think they are free because they can party whenever and drink as they please. But freedom comes from breaking free from the chains of what society imposes on us.
If you feel like you can’t hang out without a couple of beers or go an entire month without partying, you may have a problem. Even if it’s not a major issue, the benefits of cutting down on alcohol remain there for all of us.
The mental benefits of quitting alcohol
#1 You feel better
First thing’s first. Many people drink to feel better about a situation or their lives. Therefore it may sound strange to say you’ll feel better, but you will.
Alcohol drops your blood sugar and dehydrates you, which are some of the reasons why hangovers exist, and they’re awful. People that drink in excess regularly seem to forget how amazing it feels to get a good night’s sleep and wake up without being hungover.
If you face a serious alcohol addiction, chances are you will feel worse before your mood improves. Withdrawals happen with every type of drug, but that doesn’t make it less terrible. Please know that it will be hard, and your body will beg for hundreds of “j_ust one more glass_” before you recover.
#2 Your social life improves
I want you to picture this: one man suddenly realizes how much alcohol damaged his relationships, whether with his wife, children, parents, or friends. He then realizes he needs to change and joins a rehab program. Ringing any bells?
A damaged social life is one of the most common reasons people quit alcohol. This substance can make you angry, unreliable, irritable, deceptive, and so on. You can behave in ways you never would if you were sober. Once you stop drinking, you can finally be yourself again.
#3 You feel less anxious
Alcohol is a toxin that affects the brain and neurotransmitters, such as GABA and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating emotions, behavior, and cognitive abilities.
Drinking depletes GABA and dopamine levels, causing you to feel tired, anxious, and depressed once the effects wear off. We’ve all been there. We were having the best time at a club when the alcohol effect wore off, and we started to feel sleepy, even sad.
The good news is that quitting alcohol or, at least, taking a break will restore the neurotransmitters and hormones balance, giving you the chance to function cognitively again normally.
#4 You save money
You may wonder how on Earth is this a mental benefit. Alcohol is one of the cheapest addictions, but every expense adds up. It’s easy to spend hundreds of dollars in a year, even more.
Some people with a drinking problem are on a budget, yet they can’t stop spending money. If that’s your case, you’ll notice a great deal of peace of mind once you decide to quit drinking.
#5 You become the best version of yourself
We all have potential. When you were a kid, maybe you wanted to become the CEO of a major company or the best cook in town. It doesn’t matter what your goal in life is. Drinking alcohol in excess will delay it, even prevent you from achieving it.
There are so many worries and disadvantages linked to drinking that you stop being yourself. Anxiety, withdrawal, guilt, or inner emptiness are some examples of feelings that hold you back.
On the contrary, when you stop _needing _alcohol to live your life, you realize that you have the world ahead of you. You are truly free when you are no longer dependent on a bottle.
Have you ever dreamt of marrying, having children, a beautiful house, and a fulfilling job? That’s the life you could have, the life we can all achieve.
The physical benefits of quitting alcohol
#1 Your looks improve
Addiction is not about aesthetics or how you look, but quitting alcohol will definitely make your face look better. Drinking can dry your skin, reduce its elasticity, and increase wrinkles, among other consequences.
If you drink enough water and quit alcohol, your skin recovers elasticity and looks less inflamed, giving you a better aspect overall. You may even lose weight, as alcohol influences hormones and increases estrogen, responsible for having a hard time trying to lose weight.
#2 Fewer risks of health conditions
Regular drinkers are more likely to face long-term health effects. You may have heard that one glass of wine a day is healthy for you, but here are some of the conditions you may encounter:
* Heart disease
* Liver disease
* Strokes
* Diabetes (alcohol is _high _in sugar levels)
* Digestive conditions
* Numerous types of cancer (mouth, throat, colon)
Good news, though. “Risk” means that reducing the drinking will reduce the likelihood. Our bodies have an impressive healing ability, and even if you already experience early signs, quitting alcohol can do wonders for your health.
Furthermore, binge drinking can damage your immune system and cause inflammation. That means you’re more likely to get sick if you drink regularly. Are you prone to catching colds? Maybe alcohol is partly responsible.
#3 You sleep better
Most people that quit alcohol notice this right away. They get good nights’ sleep and don’t wake up hungover, meaning they function better throughout the day.
You may get knocked out after a long night of drinking, but that doesn’t mean your body is resting well. When you wake up, chances are you’ll feel like you haven’t slept at all. On the contrary, if you stop drinking, you will notice an immediate improvement in your sleep patterns.
What can you do to change?
Come to terms with reality
You must have heard someone say that asking for help is the first step to fixing things. But the truth is that the first step is to realize that something is wrong. Realizing something is wrong and doing something about it is admirable.
It doesn’t matter what the reason is: wanting to be a better version of yourself, improve your relationship, sleep better, spend less money, lose weight, etc. The reasons vary depending on each person – the commonality is the benefits.
Let go of the past
You can’t change what has happened, but you can focus on the present and become a better person. Our past shapes us and helps us learn from our mistakes, but dwelling on it forever will get us nowhere.
Take action
Are you ready to experience what happens when you quit drinking? You may not be ready to go to therapy, or it may not be the solution you need right now. I offer you to sign up for my free quit drinking webinar [https://www.stopdrinkingexpert.com/webinar/] while you make up your mind. You can get a free copy of my book and read it at your leisure.
In the seminar, you will learn tricks for different, tricky situations. For example, how to overcome cravings, one of the most stressful problems of recovery? Or tips to relax without the need for alcohol.
My mission here is to help others realize the harm done by a substance as normalized and accepted as alcohol and give advice on overcoming such addiction. I have been on both sides of the spectrum: the sober and the alcoholic. And I definitely want to stay sober.
