What to Expect Physically When You Quit Drinking for 30 Days
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Good news: there are a lot of physical benefits that happen in the first month of quitting drinking. This can be very motivating to continue on with the journey.
How Alcohol Affects the Body
Alcohol has a lot of negative effects on the body, particularly on the liver, which is where most of the alcohol you drink is metabolized. Drinking heavily and frequently floods your body with toxins, especially acetaldehyde, an intermediate that is produced in the breakdown of alcohol that is 10x more toxic than alcohol. Drinking heavily overwhelms the liver and causes the body to activate alternative detoxifying pathways that are not turned on in moderate drinkers.
Heavy alcohol consumption can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, cause heartburn, elevate blood pressure, and exacerbate conditions like anxiety and depression. Furthermore, it impacts with our nervous system, putting our bodies in a constant state of stress, despite the misleading perception of alcohol as a stress-reliever.
Health Benefits of Quitting Drinking for 30 Days
The benefits of quitting drinking can manifest in as little as 30 days. Initially, withdrawal symptoms may arise within 12-24 hours of your last drink, peaking around 48-72 hours. It's important to consult a doctor if physical symptoms are present or you are worried about detoxing safely, as alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, and even fatal in severe cases.
Once past the withdrawal phase, generally between 3 days and a week, benefits start to become noticeable. The liver begins to repair itself, the heart resumes a normal rhythm, blood pressure drops, and resting heart rate decreases. Surprisingly, even though alcohol is often used as a sleep aid, without it, sleep quality improves as it no longer hinders REM sleep, leading to better rest.
Liver fat decreases by up to 20%, blood sugar drops, resting heart rate and blood pressure lower, and bad cholesterol levels can decrease. This results in a reduced risk of developing diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Listen to episode 159 to learn more about the physical benefits of quitting drinking and which benefits may take longer than 30 days to happen:
FAQs on Health Benefits of Quitting Drinking
Will I lose weight if I stop drinking for 30 days?
This will be different for everyone, and I know that’s not what you want to hear. Weight loss depends on a lot of factors like your genetics, history of disordered eating, hormones, your gender, your mental health, and more. If you haven’t lost weight in the first 30 days, then this doesn’t mean it will never happen. A lot of people in my community saw delayed weight loss. Stay committed though because drinking alcohol makes it more difficult to lose weight, not just because of the additional calories, but because of how it impacts our metabolism.
What happens to your face when you stop drinking?
You should notice skin improvements, but not everyone will, as I described in episode 159. Sometimes these effects are delayed as your hormones regulate in sobriety. Your skin should become less dry, less red and less puffy. Many of us don’t realize how much alcohol inflames us, but it causes a lot of puffiness.
Cite this article:
Tietz, G. What to Expect Physically When You Quit Drinking for 30 Days. Sober Powered Podcast. 2023
