We all know quitting alcohol is beneficial for us, don’t we? However, it’s easier said than done. From celebrating life’s milestones to seeking temporary escape from sorrows, people indulge in drinking for a myriad of reasons. Are you one of the many who wants to give up alcohol but finds it too tough to get there? Well, just by landing on this article, you’ve taken your first step towards giving up alcohol. Cheers to that! Before choosing sobriety, it’s important for you to understand the ‘whys’ and ‘whats’ of quitting alcohol.
In this article, we’re going to delve into the adverse impacts of drinking and the multiple benefits of quitting alcohol that will open doors to a whole new level of well-being for you.
Effects of Alcohol Misuse
While after drinking alcohol, you may feel relaxed, happy or confident for some time, you know for a fact that the effect won’t last forever. What’s even worse is that to get such temporary “feel-good” moments, you are inviting permanent troubles into your life.
As per recent statistics, in England, alcohol has been detected as the leading cause of disability, poor health and death among people aged 15 to 49 years. If this wasn’t alarming enough, here are some short-term and long-term effects of alcohol misuse that might make the next “bottoms up” less exciting to you.
Short-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse
- Drowsiness
- Poor vision
- Slurred speech
- Vomiting
- Fainting
- Loss of reflexes
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Addiction
- Liver damage
- Heart diseases
- Unwanted weight gain
- Poor skin health
- Insomnia
- Poor cognitive performance
- Depression & irritability in behaviour
- Isolation from family and friends
- Lethargy
- Reduced stamina & libido
Physical Benefits of Giving up Alcohol
Now that you know how adverse the impacts of alcohol addiction can be for your overall well-being, it’s time to look at the sunnier side of bidding farewell to the booze. Read on to learn how reducing or stopping drinking benefits your overall physiological health.
Healthier Heart
According to a recent study at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA, people who drink heavily are 72% more likely to have a heart attack than those who don’t. While resveratrol in red wine may be good for your heart, it’s only effective when consumed in a small amount. So, all you binge drinkers, if you want to keep cardiovascular diseases at bay, switch from binging on alcohol to binging on healthier food and natural heart health supplements that can improve your heart condition.
Lower Risk of Liver Disease
Alcohol is a toxic substance. The good news is that your liver can detoxify your system. But when you keep drinking like a fish, it gets tough for your liver to combat the huge influx of toxins, leading to Cirrhosis, fatty liver and other forms of liver diseases. So, quitting alcohol benefits your liver by helping it function at its best. If you think or know your liver health has already gone down the drain, you can always revitalise it with a natural liver supplement. Thank us later!
Improved Immunity
Too prone to falling sick? Binge drinking can be the potential culprit! Alcohol affects your immune system by being the roadblock in the production of white blood cells, which are avengers against germs and diseases. So, people who drink occasionally or have quit alcohol tend to catch diseases less frequently and recover faster from illnesses than alcohol addicts.
Glowing Skin
People often fail to realise the adverse effects of alcoholism because it can’t be seen from the outside. However, what if we told you alcohol makes you look worse? Shocked? Well, binge drinking can dehydrate your skin, cause inflammation and reduce natural collagen levels, leading to saggy, rough and unhealthy skin. Giving up alco
hol and drinking skin-loving alternatives like fruit juices, green tea and collagen drinks can help you restore your youthful-looking skin!Better Weight Management
The external benefits of stopping drinking are not limited to skin only. Alcoholic beverages contain massive amounts of added sugar and calories, which are the two perpetrators guilty of causing unhealthy weight gain. Along with a balanced diet and workout regime, cutting down on alcohol intake helps you get back in shape and shed pounds faster and more easily.
Mental & Social Benefits of Not Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol doesn’t stop at affecting your physical health, it can also dig deep and impact your mental well-being and social life negatively. Below are some mental and social benefits of stopping drinking.
Mental Clarity
Alcohol interrupts the normal functioning of your brain. So, after quitting alcohol, you’ll notice that your ability to think, read, analyse, solve problems and memorise things has improved. Giving up alcoholism helps clear up your brain fog and polish up your cognitive abilities. Taking a brain health supplement after choosing sobriety can assist in restoring your brain health even faster.
Relaxed sleep
While drinking alcohol makes you feel drowsy initially, over time alcohol abuse affects your sleep quality, leading to problems like Sleep apnea and Insomnia. A study conducted in 2018 showed a whopping 39.2% decrease in sleep quality among people who were into heavy drinking. So, quitting alcohol benefits your sleep quality and pattern. It’s time to keep alcohol at bay to get closer to a relaxed mind and sound sleep.
Better Mood & Behaviour
Although just after quitting alcohol, you might feel restless and experience mood swings, once you fight through these hurdles, you will feel like a new person emotionally. You’ll notice a positive change in the way you feel other’s emotions, analyse situations and behave with people. Make the feelings of depression or pessimism a thing of your past, and welcome a newfound motivation to tackle each day with confidence and a positive attitude.
Happier Family Life
If you get too committed to drinking alcohol, your commitment towards your family will start fading away. Once you quit alcohol, you can focus more on your family, spend more time with your children, spouse or parents and mend the relationships that got severed during your addiction phase. Moreover, since you won’t be spending hefty amounts of money on buying costly alcoholic beverages, you’ll have more money to spend for your family’s well-being and happiness.
Improved Sex Life
While one or two pegs of alcohol can bring you into a romantic mood, gulping down multiple pegs can take away your ability to perform in bed. Men can experience difficulty in keeping up erection while women may feel a dip in their sexual drive when they get drunk. So, giving up alcohol benefits your intimate experiences with your special person. If you wanna heat up your sex life, consider keeping alcohol in check to keep the sparks flying!
How to Stop Drinking Alcohol
Choosing sobriety has been life-changing for many. However, we also understand that it's a challenging journey to embark on. So here are some helpful tips on how to keep alcohol at arm's length.
Say No to Social Drinking
We often start drinking alcohol to gel up in social gatherings. However, more often than never, this turns into a habit and eventually leads to addiction. So, to fully experience the benefits of giving up alcohol, it's essential not just to curb binge drinking but also to confidently refuse drinks at parties and other social gatherings.
Find Healthier Alternatives
Giving up alcohol need not mean giving up your “cheers” moments with your friends and family. You can always find a healthier alternative to alcoholic beverages and keep the party going. Make drinks like mocktails, fruit juices, kombucha, matcha tea, coffee, etc. your best ally and say goodbye to days of headaches and hangovers forever!
Reward Your Progress
Experiencing the benefits of quitting alcohol is gratifying, but it's not always an easy road. Many face initial alcohol withdrawal symptoms like hand tremors, excessive sweating, headache, loss of appetite, etc. That’s why it’s important to celebrate every small victory along the way. Set achievable short-term goals such as an alcohol-free week or month, and treat yourself to something special when you reach these milestones. Whether it's your favourite meal, new apparel, or anything you fancy, use the savings you made from not spending on alcohol to make your sobriety journey more enjoyable.
Notice & Cherish the Benefits
When you push alcohol completely out of your life, you’re bound to notice some positive changes within and without. You may observe your skin is looking better or you’re feeling more energetic or you’re able to sleep better. Whatever benefits you feel, keep track of these positive shifts and enjoy the effects. Keeping track of these benefits gives you a powerful reminder of why you chose sobriety in the first place and why it’s worth the challenges.
The Final Toast!
After discovering all these fantastic ways in which giving up alcohol benefits your health and life, isn’t it worth giving a shot? As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you”. Shift gears from being led by alcohol to taking the lead in crafting a healthy lifestyle. To get help in making this healthy switch, you can explore our wide range of health supplements at WeightWorld, curated just for you! So prioritise yourself over those not-so-healthy temptations today!
