But you don’t have to wait for a designated month to take a break from alcohol. Taking a break at any time gives you a chance to evaluate your relationship with alcohol and allows you to gain an understanding of what is motivating you to drink and how it is impacting your life. The insights gained while taking a break from alcohol can help guide how to take a break from drinking better choices moving forward. If your vacation from alcohol is temporary, proceed with caution when you start drinking again. “Even moderate drinkers who stop drinking for two months tend to overdrink when they start again,” Dr. Koob says. Nobody really knows why, he says, but it seems to be some kind of overcompensation for the time you lost.
Can You Go 30 Days Without Drinking?
Identify a family member or friend who you can call on to provide emotional support. “You may notice an increase in mental clarity and memory, [since] alcohol use can impact concentration and memory,” he explains. It’s likely the past few days have been challenging as your body is healing from the effects of alcohol. There may be some thoughts like “do I really have to do this for 25 more days!? ” Remember that it will get easier, and you only have to get through one day at a time.
Symptoms of Denial
- You probably already know about the bad decision-making that can happen after one too many, but long-term alcohol use can have long-term effects on memory and overall cognition.
- Many alcoholic beverages are high in sugar, and your body is still in recovery mode.
- “You may notice an increase in mental clarity and memory, [since] alcohol use can impact concentration and memory,” he explains.
- Despite all that you’ve read about the benefits of red wine, alcohol calories are still empty calories.
- In fact, alcohol use can make you more susceptible to pneumonia, for example, and predispose chronic drinkers to things like infections and even poor wound healing.
Let’s get into the weeds with how you’re going to feel after cutting out alcohol for a full month. For most people, quitting takes a good https://ecosoberhouse.com/ deal of energy, strength, and hard work, especially in the first weeks. For awhile, not drinking has to be your primary daily goal.
What can you expect within two to three weeks?
By cutting out alcohol, you’ll notice a significant reduction in spending. The average American spends approximately $1,200 per year on alcohol alone. Use this opportunity to reallocate funds to other important areas of your life, like travel, hobbies, or savings.
My Commitment to Stop Drinking
Spending quality family time or pursuing our hobbies becomes much more fulfilling than alcohol use. Now you can check out the farmers’ market, go on a long walk, or make some progress on that DIY project. Alcohol causes inflammation, and it can take a few weeks for this side effect to wear off.
Consider what benefits alcohol provides to your life
Alcohol disrupts your sleep cycle and prevents you from getting enough restful sleep. Alcohol can sometimes make you fall asleep faster but also reduces your REM sleep, which is essential for memory consolidation and emotional regulation. Drinking alcohol can irritate your stomach and intestines, causing inflammation, acid reflux, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Alcohol also interferes with the absorption of nutrients and vitamins from food, leading to deficiencies and malnutrition.
Questioning Your Relationship with Alcohol? Here’s What to Do Next
These include experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, intense cravings, loneliness and isolation, peer pressure, and social stigma. You know yourself best, but if you have a hard time nailing down triggers for drinking, spend a week or so ahead of your sober month journaling around your drinking. Make notes on what you were doing (or feeling) before each drink. Binge drinking causes inflammation in your gut and messes with your intestinal barrier. In the short-term, that means funky bowel movements and acid reflux. Over time, heavy drinking can lead to nutritional deficiencies and worsen existing problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- If you’ve decided to go zero-proof for Dry January or any other purpose, staying the 30-day course will likely result in some impressive benefits.
- If this doesn’t happen for you at this time – don’t worry.
- You also need a support system to help you cope with the challenges and celebrate your achievements.
- And, for some people, the financial savings could be substantial.
- Too much alcohol can make it harder for your kidneys to work efficiently and contribute to chronic kidney disease.
A break from alcohol can lead to improved memory and concentration, and a reduction in brain fog. According to a study published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, even moderate alcohol consumption can have negative effects on cognitive functioning. You’ll experience enhanced hydration and reduced inflammation, which can lead to a decrease in acne and an overall healthier complexion. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that alcohol consumption can exacerbate skin conditions like rosacea and acne, and show signs of aging particularly in women. Have you ever noticed that you tend to have breakouts and redness after a night of drinking? Between the dehydration, lowered immunity, and hormonal changes from alcohol, drinking can wreak all kinds of havoc on your skin, leading to breakouts, inflammation , dryness, and more.
You Might Lose Weight
Make a plan that addresses the biggest obstacles to 30 days sober, starting with how you’ll navigate your social life. Drinking too much causes weight gain, not only because alcohol is basically sugar — most people eat extra snacks while drinking. Unfortunately, even moderate drinkers have a hard time saying no to a Taco Bell run after a night at the bar.
- However, if you have a pre-existing mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety, quitting alcohol might worsen your symptoms or trigger a relapse.
- It’s completely normal to feel a wide range of symptoms and emotions at the start of 30 days without alcohol.
- You may feel more energy than usual, making it easier to fit in those regular workouts you’ve been putting off before the new year.
- You know yourself best, but if you have a hard time nailing down triggers for drinking, spend a week or so ahead of your sober month journaling around your drinking.
- For resources related to AUD, including how to get support, please visit the NIH website.