People stop choosing to drink alcohol for a variety of reasons. Whether this is for health, financial or religious reasons, more people are choosing to reduce their alcohol intake or completely stop drinking.
When people do reduce their alcohol partially or completely then they can experience a number of short-term and long-term health benefits. This guide explains some of the health benefits you can experience by not drinking alcohol.
Short-Term Health Benefits
There are various short-term benefits which happen when you stop drinking. The following list is a summary of the changes you could expect:
- No More Hangovers
This one’s pretty self-explanatory but when you stop drinking you will no longer have hangovers. This would mean that you could be in a better mood the next morning and be more productive the next day.
- Better Mental Health
Although you may drink to feel more relaxed, there are long-term risks associated with an individual’s mental health when you drink consistently. By not drinking, you can expect to feel less depressed, stressed and anxious.
- Improved Energy Levels & Better Sleep
When you drink regularly, you may notice that your sleeping pattern is disrupted. This often means that you are not able to sleep properly at night and feel tired during the day. When you stop drinking, you are able to have a greater quality of sleep as your Rapid Eye Movement (REM) is improved.
- Better Skin
When you stop drinking, your skin may improve. This is because alcohol dehydrates the skin and makes the eyes look dull.
- Weight Loss
Have you ever noticed how many calories are in your favourite drink? An example of this is that a typical pint of your favourite lager contains the same calories as a slice of pizza and a large glass of wine contains the same amount as an ice cream sundae. When you stop drinking you can notice how much weight you can shed, especially if you are overweight. This is because you are no longer consuming these ‘empty calories’ and high amounts of carbohydrates.
Long-Term Health Benefits
In addition to the short-term benefits that you will experience from not drinking, you will also notice long-term improvements which are listed below:
- Reduced Cancer Risk
Decreasing your alcohol intake may reduce your chances of getting several cancers. This includes bowel, mouth, breast, and liver cancer.
- Reduced Risk of Liver Disease
If you stop drinking, you are less likely to have long-term liver problems, given that there is already no damage that is irreversible.
- Reduced Risk of Long-Term Health Problems
Stopping drinking alcohol lowers the risk of suffering from other long-term health problems. This includes heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, and gut problems.
What if I Need Further Support?
At Alcohol Home Treatment, we offer around-the-clock support to our patients. Our alcohol home detox programme is designed to allow you to fully detox in a safe and comfortable environment. Furthermore, with over 25 years of experience, we can provide you with the highest quality of care required. So if you would like support in your recovery, please contact us today.
