Exactly what happens hours, days, weeks and months after you stop drinking alcohol – and the immediate dangers
MOST people know that giving up alcohol will be good for their health.
But the benefits of going booze-free can surface far quicker than you might think.
Some positives occur in as little as 60 minutes, while others can take months but will last a lifetime.
From clear skin to weight loss and better quality sleep - it's pretty much all good news for your mind and body.
So, if you're tackling Dry January this year - or you've decided to give up alcohol for good - here's what you can expect.
1 hour
As the alcohol leaves your bloodstream (at a rate of about one unit per hour), you may see your speech and balance improve.
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4 to 8 hours
Four to eight hours in, you'll likely be wide awake, or tossing and turning in your sleep.
You may also notice your hands shaking a little, bouts of anxiety, and excessive sweating, according to the .
12 hours
The 12-hour mark is when dehydration really kicks in.
Experts say drinking six glasses of wine means losing between 19 and 24 glasses of water, so it's no wonder you're extremely thirsty.
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You may also have headaches, fatigue, nausea, low mood, increased blood pressure and a raised heart rate.
24 hours
While most of the booze will be out of your system by now, some will remain.
And these remnants will continue to mess with your digestive system - think stomach pain, diarrhoea and constipation.
This period can be dangerous for people reliant on alcohol, the Priory Group warns.
Some people develop delirium tremens (DTs), which include seizures, hallucinations and significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
2 to 3 days
Now the toxins have cleared from your body completely, your kidneys and other organs should just about return to normal.
But you might feel a bit under the weather, as levels of dopamine (a mood-boosting chemical in the brain) remain low.
You may also notice you're grumpier than normal - but it's going to get better.
4 to 5 days
By this point, your bowel movements should be less irregular, your stomach pain should have subsided and the acid in your tummy should have reduced.
Overall, your symptoms should have started to clear.
However, sleep problems are still common in this stage - but resist the temptation to reach for a drink to help you nod off.
Instead, try things like limiting screen time, having a warm bath or listening to soothing music before bed.
5 to 7 days
Feel-good chemicals should return to normal by day seven, providing a much-needed mood boost and improved sleep.
Hopefully, you'll also no longer be getting up to pee in the middle of night.
But you may experience very vivid dreams around this time, according to .
"This could be down to increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep," the charity says.
"REM is the stage of sleep during which we dream. When we drink, REM sleep is suppressed, which is why we're still so tired the next day, even after an eight-hour slumber."
2 weeks
Another major benefit of doing Dry January is clearer and smoother skin, according to Cheshire-based private addiction rehab clinic .
Alcohol dehydrates the body, including the skin, which can cause it to look dull and tired.
Avoiding alcohol means you're far more hydrated, therefore you're left with a happier and healthier complexion.
This can happen within two weeks, as can weight loss due to consuming fewer calories and less frequent acid reflux.
1 month
Research shows just one month without alcohol can reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, liver cirrhosis and obesity.
This is primarily down to blood sugar levels being regulated, cholesterol lowered to a healthy amount and weight loss.
Your mind will likely also be clearer, resulting in better decision making, more creativity, and improved learning and problem solving.
If you exercise, you may also notice you're performing better and have fewer headaches as you're more hydrated, the Priory Group says.
3 months
It just keeps getting better. As well as the previous benefits sticking around, you'll also have far more energy.
1 year
After 12 months without alcohol, most people will leave all cravings and withdrawal symptoms behind.
Studies show regularly, heavy drinking interferes with chemicals in the brain that are vital for good mental health, so you should have a more positive mindset.
Your energy levels will likely be higher, your sleep better, and your skin, hair and teeth will almost certainly improve.
Another major win of quitting booze can be weight loss.
A pint of lager contains the same number of calories as a slice of pizza, and a large glass of wine the same as an ice cream sundae, according to .
These 'empty' calories, plus the food you eat once you've had a drink, can mean regular drinkers pile on the pounds.
Stopping can therefore help get the number on the scales down - and keep it that way.
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Overall, quitting booze lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease, sexual dysfunction and gut problems.
"Stopping drinking could make your life feel brighter in all kinds of ways, as well as helping your long-term health," Drink Aware says.
When not to stop drinking suddenly
SO-CALLED "normal" drinkers can come off alcohol relatively safely.
But those who are clinically dependent on it can die if they suddenly stop drinking altogether.
If you experience fits, shaking hands, sweating, seeing things that are not real, depression, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping after a period of drinking and while sobering up, then you may be clinically alcohol dependent and should NOT suddenly, completely stop drinking.
But you can still take control of your drinking.
Talk to a GP or your local community alcohol service who will be able to get help for you to reduce your drinking safely.
You can also seek help from:
- Drinkline - Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).
- - free self-help group that offers a 12 week plan
- - A group for family members or friends struggling to help a loved one
- - a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol
- - helpline for children who have parents who are alcohol dependent - call 0800 358 3456
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