Whatever you think alcohol is is all a lie. After getting sober, I didnt jump back into lifting weights but I did within a few years. High blood pressure. Ive just managed to get through Christmas and now only got new year to worry about. This is because alcohol can cause dehydration, which can lead to dry, dull skin. Once you are nearly 6 months sober, your bodys natural levels of dopamine begin to restore and you will notice positive changes in your mood. Sleep is easy, I dont wake up with a feeling of regret or dread from the events of the night before. Heineken and Becks make really great ones and I was an IPA fan. I laughed I went over my former wine buddys house today and we went for ice cream. Dont feel bad if you have not lost weight. It takes something big for you to wake up and take control. It shows how much alcohol ages you, and Im so happy about the difference in my appearance. Good luck to all . One month alcohol free and completely surprised by how much better I feel both physically and emotionally. I just stay away from drinking and friends who live in the bar scene 3x a week. It was hard as hell for me but Im feeling so much better now and dont even think about it that much! I was a daily physically and mentally addicted alcoholic. Sleep better, get more done, lost ony 3 pound up to now. Increasing self esteem and confidence. Im mentally far sharper than I can recall being since my late 30s. Only 36 and did drink alot when younger but not much since 2018, dont miss it at all so far and am trying to ditch it completely as its very bad for my condition now. It can increase the percentage of liver fat and cause it to function abnormally. Glad i found HSM as it inspired me to keep going after a few weeks when i felt like having a drink as reading everyones journeys made me realise it was worth keeping going. However, Ive been battling with darkness under my eyes for years and Ive just recently noticed that the darkness is fading! Thank you for sharing. WOW hallelujah moment. The benefits of not drinking are so great, I just dont want it. Just dont have any cravings now or desire to drink . I feel that Ive only just started to get to know myself, for the first time in my life (Im 47). When you drink alcohol, even in moderate amounts, it can result in obesity. I have the sugar craving, which is fine, but every evening I reach for a glass of zero alcohol wine and I reckon Ive still got a habit. Better health all around. Its important to recognise the small wins and keep an eye out for the inner critic that might downplay what youve done well. Slowly, the sober life made sense and the desire to drink & use faded some. Your social anxiety might peak in this time. So enjoy, and take it easy. I have been reading this sites comments every night to help me not drink. GL all! it was like a plague of locusts moved through the house. I have just started my AF journey because of cerebellum damage to my brain which the doctor thinks is alcohol related. This is because alcohol is a costly habit, so giving it up can free up some extra cash. I have learned so much. By now youve improved your overall health, physically and mentally. It just all of a sudden happened. Im 4 months off alcohol as was diagnosed with t2 diabetes in january. A year and a half ago, I dropped from 4-8 commercial beers a day down to just two a day. Research also shows that some people experience an increased libido after reducing or quitting alcohol. I did have 4 drinks between October 2021 and New Years Day 2022. I sleep now 7-8 hrs every night up from 5-6 and i feel much more relaxed, focussed and a calmer , nicer partner and dad. My doc told me that I had better reduce the intake or be prepared to develop cirrhosis like another patient of hers did as a result of continued alcohol abuse. From sleep and clear skin. Either with your friend and family, a support group or even a therapist. Over the covid year things spiraled quickly for me. Alcohol Withdrawal. Stepping into month 5 and I am feeling great. I had my first drink in 3.5 months yesterday (a half pint of beer) and am curious to know whether I am undermining the health benefits of not drinking in any real sense. Not good. I dont broadcast I dont want a drink, I just dont. But I really enjoy not drinking alcohol. They can give you herbs like milk thistle for your liver/digestion too and help correct any dysbiosis. I work and am in a good relationship for many years. My skin isnt noticeably glowing or anything like that. I have battled with depression for a long time and I can assure you that when you stop. Hey there. I also started IF and have list all the weight I gained. I read how to detox at home snd did it without telling my husband or 3 sons. You can opt-out at any time. A really helpful article, thank you. One week in and Im pleasantly surprised not to have any withdrawal symptoms, and minimal cravings. When you have started staying sober you will feel anxious because of how others perceive you as an alcoholic and would not want to interact with you. Im always battling with those extra ten pounds, but being sober hasnt made much of a difference for me in regards to my marriage, self esteem, confidence or motivation yet I still have daily acid reflux as well, something I thought would go away after maintaining the no alcohol lifestyle. If you are, recovery may take a little while longernonetheless, you'll feel better than you did during the first few days of withdrawal. Eating candy is better than ingesting alcohol, and your body will adjust. However, increased loneliness during isolation & living alone no family increases. A booze hiatus can potentially improve acne for those who have it, as previously reported in WH. Im only 2 months in AF but so thankful to God for helping me with this new life. But Ive been off alcohol for 4 days now. (No jinx ). If you only indulge occasionally, withdrawal won't have as big of an impact, but your body will still detox from the booze. Hand numbness. I dont really want to give up but I dont want to give up feeling great. There is a great book called Godspeed by Casey Legler. your path from 1-12 months is amazing to follow. They did dialysis and tried to save him. The first 6 months to an year of sober living is going to be challenging and will test your patience at a lot of points. Until you stop drinking you dont realise how much of our social lives is based around booze. I cant imagine drinking again knowing this is what life can be like without it. Im 6 months sober now and feel great . During those first few months as a drinker, I also downed a good bit of "jungle juice," a frat basement concoction of cheap liquor, soda, fruit juice, and whatever else they had on hand. The bottom line: It's a personal decision whether or not you drink, and how much. Energy better Easier to Eat Healthier. I feel so much better too. Im way less social though. Im very active in my job and like to run and exercise but my relief was sitting down with a beer or two at night that grew over time. Im nearly 6 months ! You will gradually start to see your organ systems functioning better. Weekends are still a struggle though, but weirdly got through Christmas and New Year without too much trouble. If you're considering quitting drinking, these benefits may be just what you need to help you make the decision. 2020. Yes I read This Naked Mind and now 7 weeks 4 days AF! Also, does having the occasional (one beer a month) subvert the benefits of what you outlined in your article? Met my wife and figured Id stop, I didnt. No more worrying about what I said or did yesterday or making a fool of myself, which is what keeps me from drinking every day since. Boredom, rewarding myself for working hard, etc. Plus I genuinely enjoyed the taste of beer and all the different options that I could try and enjoy. White Cheddar rice cakes are my crutch. You'll also have more energy and stamina, and you may notice that your Started weight lifting again Ive almost always had a gym membership because I like the sauna and lifting weights. Great advice, and very encouraging. In mild cases these will resolve by day two or three, but in more severe cases, these symptoms may be more severe (seizures, hallucinations, delirium, etc.) The day before NYs Eve 21, I stopped drinking alcohol completely. But here's the thing: although it may have initially helped me head to dreamland, that alcohol seriously disrupted my REM cycle. 2007. After that time I saw the benefits, I have completed a year & I never want to go back. Ice Cream galore, Pralines & pecan, also carbs.. Sorry this is so winded but its awesome to be able to share. Check out the supportive community on our Daybreak app or get some health coaching support to encourage you along this path. My blood pressure has dramatically gone down, ive lost 20 lbs. Within a few months I was back to 8-9 drinks a night every night. WebNew years resolution 2 out of 6 months down. Your life is precious. I was never one to get up in the morning and drink but every evening without fail. Meditation is a way to achieve therapeutic mindfulness and comes with great health benefits. Working out 1hr + 6 days week lifting and cardio. This is an important thing to look out for at any stage of sobriety. Diane. Anyone a daily drinker but liver is good? It gives you a whole new lease on life. An Alcohol-Free Year: Insights from My First 6 Months | Better Humans 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. Generally feeling happier and more confident. Even though its only 3 weeks, I feel so much better, constipation is slowly getting better now I have bough tablets from the pharmacy. Life is simply better. I like to drink the majority of the day on Saturday and Sunday. Dont let drinking do it to you like it did in the past, alcohol runs your brain cause it was use to it. At this stage your risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease and several cancers starts to reduce (, World Cancer Research Fund, 2007; Roerecke et al., 2017). I dont even like beer(red wine was my thing), and I am frustrated with my irritation. Luckily, it was nothing that strong coffee and an Advil couldn't fixexcept for the .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}weight gain. Once you have decided to become sober you might feel insomniac and restless. Finally admitted to my family what was the worst kept secret. Then 2 and 3 months passed. That said the benefits I have experienced are unfathomable, to me atleast. Might seem silly but has really helped me stay strong for the last 2 months. 7 nights a week. It was hard to limit at first, but now it just feels normal and Im not thinking about booze all the time. In the past, I had loved waking up early for morning workouts. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Includes loss of 20 years of psychiatry due to PTSD from childhood. this is a great article and the comments are good too so thanks. Overwhelming smugness is another side effect which I have to keep in check. I dont know if I am setting myself up but for now it seems to be working for me. My body aches, mainly legs, but I am walking so much better from hobbling with my sons walking stick to stop me falling over. Much more flexible and feel younger. Im only 2 months sober but i pray for continued sobriety. Earlier this year I managed 4 1/2 months AF. I looked forward to my morning workouts and booze was not going to get in the way of that. I had 2 mini strokes during the month of August. And, if I find a reason to have a drink, I will never find a reason not to. If I had known it was doing this to me I would have quit years ago (am 23 for those who are wondering). You will save a fortune as well. I drank A LOT of those drinks but after a couple months it got easier and easier. "Planning what you are going to say and what your boundaries are ahead of time can help you deal with these situations when they arise," she adds. Life physically and mentally so much better. Int J Environ Res Public Health. I know this is my issue, and nothing to do with him. Feeling physically good but mentally, I have never been so drained. I was a daily drinker (around almost a bottle of wine in the evening, Id always leave a little bit just so I didnt feel guilty about drinking an entire bottle). Finally, you may start to Point is, it takes time and while I can appreciate the anxiety, I went through it terribly too, still do with the BP, as you allow your body to heal, you will start to feel better. Its okay. I was not very good.) Yes, my sweet tooth is back but seems to be calming down. Alcoholism makes your body full of toxins and dependent, causing a lot of harm to it. I recently went to one, it was eye opening. Thats one way to reframe alcohol if you are close to a cocktail When you drink, you get fizzled!, Thats good to hear. 3 months in also. Initially wanted to target 40 days, but now considering a much longer period. Just a month in for me, looking much better in my face, no weight loss overall though but thats something to address over time. This happens when you start to feel that now that you have taken six months over you have achieved everything and there is nothing more for you to learn. Then your time will be terrible. That was the wake up call after seeing my lab results. Make physical exercise and meditation a permanent part of your life. I decided on New Years to only drink on weekends. Because of these internal changes, relationships often improve or become more possible. 55yrs old, proud of myself. Today is 60 days for me and I feel worse than ever. that can be used to reduce symptoms and prevent seizures and delirium, says Berens. I do have high bloo pressure most likely due to drinking, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL I like keeping track of the health benefits I get after one week, two weeks, three weeks etc. All of this means that taking a break from booze could help you better fight off any seasonal illnesses. People that claim that wine and other alcoholic drinks enhances food flavor can stop lying. Still working on the energy thing and thankfully my memory is improving. Anyone struggling with the thought of stopping its ok, just try a day, then a week, then a month, then 3. Im a 39 year old male. I have found a new love for excersize. Enjoy things I have not in a while. I was an every day drinker for about 13 years! Brought up with an alcoholic mother. This way you might not feel like you have already achieved everything and find it difficult to keep it. And yes I do have ice cream before bed but others are noticing the weight loss and complimenting. My bp and weight loss good. Then I started drinking every day after work. I should mention that I had tried to go AF seriously a number of times. Quitting drinking as well as smoking cigarettes 9 months ago, all benefits everyone has mentioned, but I sure have seen more money in pockets. The 12 step program is a long term program and will help you be sober for a long time. I hope i am successful at quitting. Improvements. Hello SM. I am letting go of all mind altering substances to include coffee. As far as Im concerned, thats not worth missing out on. . Coffee and tons of water. Happy New Year and good luck to everyone addressing their drinking in 2021. EJIFCC. The first time I tried it took a couple weeks this time it took a couple months. I always knew I needed to stop drinking and never thought Id be able to. How serious your withdrawal symptoms are depends on how much, how long, and how often you imbibein addition to genetic factors. Try reading Allen Carrs the easy way to control alcohol OR listen to his audiobook, same title. Now at 150 days in my sugar cravings have gone way down and Im now craving healthier choices so hopefully 6 month mark for me too haha. Then you will start living life again. "Most likely, people who care about you will be supportive and encourage your efforts to stay sober," says Kennedy. No booze for last 2 months, feeling better, but have replaced the evening drinkies with 0 beer. That patient died. Once you have been sober for six months, you will know all of your triggers. This is what you can expect if you quit drinking for a while. Ive now been off the sauce for couple weeks, I feel great. Twenty weeks in and not missing the hangovers one little bit. Journal of alcohol and drug education. I am 2 months sober i became an alcoholic in just 1 year drinking 1 handle of vodka a day. Your sleep quality should continue to improve, and this (amongst other benefits) should provide an improvement to your overall health. Nobody but GOD! I believe both have been huge influences on who and where I am today. Next its the 60 pounds I gained since 2016 Ive struggled through dry months. Its not the action im addicted to its the taste. It doesnt solve everything, but it makes you be honest, it makes you look at your habits and realise we are responsible for our behaviour and the consequences. Trust me. And I hated the fact that I was normalising drinking for them. The effect it has on you, and your behaviour towards others changes drastically as a result of alcohol. 7. He called every day very lonely. I noticed I always had to have a drink in my hand. Thanks for your post, it was informative. 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