benefits of living alcohol free

Six months is an accomplishment to be incredibly proud of. At the same time, it’s also a period when people may become complacent in their sobriety, and less engaged in their sobriety toolkit. This can make it more likely for setbacks to occur in light of triggers. While it’s important to celebrate progress, it’s equally as important to continue on the path that’s been working for you. Engaging in therapy or support groups can be especially helpful at this time. These resources can provide techniques to help you stay engaged in your sobriety journey.

benefits of living alcohol free

One Year Sober

  • As a primary care doctor myself, these are long discussions that people should have with their doctor.
  • But it is how you come back to being alive and your coping tools get stronger.
  • The U.S. has had a long, complicated relationship with alcohol.
  • So not, you know, I don’t want coke or orange juice, because I’m not 12, right, I want a nice drink and a nice glass.

Moody says she wouldn’t go so far as to say a daily beer is healthy. While there’s some research showing moderate beer drinking has some health benefits, it’s not exactly a healthy habit especially when you consider that alcohol doesn’t have any nutritional value. In addition, although https://ecosoberhouse.com/ we don’t think moderate drinking necessarily clouds our judgment, it turns out that it probably does. In simulated driving tests that were done as far back as the 1950s, people have realized that at very low blood alcohol levels, simulated driving performance is impaired.

Surprising Benefits Of 1 Month Alcohol Free

No two alcohol-free journeys will look alike, and that’s okay. But, if you don’t see anything on the menu, don’t get discouraged. Often, restaurants can make alcohol-free versions of cocktails that are on their menu, or they may even have off-menu options. But you’d need to be aware to even ask yourself that question.

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As one drinks more over time, these disturbances get worse and become more difficult to reverse. In this article, we’ll talk about the health risks that come with drinking and the benefits of quitting alcohol. Even if you know that there are benefits to quitting alcohol, it does not mean that it’s easy to stop drinking—especially if you’ve been misusing alcohol for a long time. When I was boozing, weekends passed by in a blur of drinking and feeling hungover.

Reasons Why You’ll Love Life Alcohol-Free

benefits of living alcohol free

The benefits of quitting drinking are often apparent soon after you stop, and will only continue to improve the longer you abstain from drinking. “The one-year mark is when your overall risk of different cancers has leveled off,” says Dr. Mosquera. “Your relationships are likely improved, and your resilience has increased,” says Dr. Mosquera. After just seven days without alcohol, your immune system starts bouncing back.

The effects of drinking less include changes—for the better.

For example, you may reduce the frequency of your therapy appointments, or feel the need to check in with a support group less often. It’s important to move at your own speed, and remember that as long as a treatment method is working for you, it’s reasonable to stick with it. Continuing to attend support groups and stay engaged in sobriety communities can also help you stay in touch with your ‘why’, and even inspire others along their journey.

  • Alco­hol is a depres­sant and can cause shifts in your mood and affect your men­tal health.
  • Fortunately, an alcohol-free lifestyle is achievable with the proper tools in place.
  • At the same time, there are some particular risks of drinking for women that don’t exist for men.

Of course, the new year is also a popular time to take stock of your health and lifestyle choices, press the reset button, and dive into resolutions such as Dry January. The post-holiday sobriety challenge, which started in the U.K. In 2013, has been embraced by more people each year. About 41% of U.S. adults surveyed said they intended to give Dry January a try in 2023. People who have risk factors for hepatitis C ought to be tested because it will very substantially impact what the potential risks are related to moderate drinking. The role of alcohol consumption in heart disease varies strongly by gender.

  • As one drinks more over time, these disturbances get worse and become more difficult to reverse.
  • They also felt less need to drink alcohol, even several months after participating in this initiative.
  • However, it’s also common to experience the ‘early recovery identity crisis,’ which describes figuring out who you are without alcohol.
  • But you are able to, to just deal with whatever you need to deal with in a much more balanced way, much as much less drama, when you’re sober.

Your commitment to the chosen approach is crucial, as it provides the foundation for a sustainable, sober lifestyle. Being prepared for social gatherings will aid in staying strong in your sobriety while helping soothe anxieties about going out, especially in the early stages. Finding benefits of living alcohol free a therapist can help you navigate the “why” behind your drinking habits by assisting with the emotions that come with such a big life change. While cutting alcohol out of your life remains a positive decision, navigating the mental load that comes with it can be difficult.

  • We can help you create an effective, sustainable plan to put you in control of your relationship with alcohol.
  • You know that yoga class you keep saying you’ll go to?
  • Staying off or limiting the booze will maintain a balance in brain chemicals, reducing the likelihood of anxiety and improving your overall mental health.

So, anger, regret, sadness, insecurity, like, suddenly you’re feeling it all. But it is how you come back to being alive and your coping tools get stronger. It’s just in the early days, everything so raw, you feel like you’re walking around without your outer layer of skin, that tear effect it. Whether you know you want to stop drinking and live an alcohol free life, are sober curious, or are in recovery this podcast is for you. We’ve already said that alcohol takes its toll on the liver.

benefits of living alcohol free

For example, if you had friendships that were based around drinking, you might find yourself isolated from those individuals. It’s important to remember that the reactions of others say more about their own relationship with alcohol than they do about you and your choices. Trying out new sober activities and joining sober communities can help you create meaningful relationships with those who share similar interests and values.