Still have the urge to grab a few brews on Friday and Saturday. For me 5 months. I sat down at a machine in a Safeway and just measured right away no waiting. Eating candy is better than ingesting alcohol, and your body will adjust. Before knowing the effect of alcohol on the test results, it is important to know the metabolism of alcohol in the body. It matters that you did. ~ Cassandra Clare. (No jinx ). I did drop weight right away, but it mostly came back and Im fighting it. This February will be 12 months alcohol free af, I hope you can help me give some idea Ive had the shakes and was drinking so much my blood pressure was so high I was hospitalized 2x I have stopped drinking 2 months now goofed-up on 3 ipa at a Christmas party which I didnt want to go I feel worse now than when I was drinking many ipas. I even kept the bottle of vodka in the liquor cabinet, where it still sits, because I knew for me I had to be able to do it in the world I live. 2020;13:288. 16-34. de Visser, R. and Piper, R., 2020. Your life is precious. Here are some of the most common effects of giving up alcohol. I have a little social anxiety and it would alleviate that. I wasnt really over weight before but I have lost a little weight any my body looks more trim than before. I lost weight, then gained weight, now Im losing again. Instead, I found myself naturally reverting to my healthier habits. You can show up everyday for your life Guidelines For Low-Risk Drinking Alcohol And Drug Foundation. I felt better but the urges were still difficult to subdue. For some, they find that meditation, reading or other activities such as a pottery class, become more possible. Three weeks AF, miserable want a drink every afternoon. i am off it 10 months the weight fell off me at first too very fast. I was wondering if you know what the effects are of having a drink after a long period of abstinence? Im on calmer water now I do miss the buzz, I wont lie, but the after-booze fizzle isnt worth it. I feel that Ive only just started to get to know myself, for the first time in my life (Im 47). There are plenty of other perks to easing up on alcohol besides weight loss. I had a very boozy few years, always social. But the thing is The only reason I hadnt quit was because the people around me were telling me I didnt have to, or shouldnt. Feeling better about myself. Hangover free days, utter joy. This last week was my first attempt to get help and now Im waiting for my counseling and doctor appointments. I felt like I did not know what to do with myself and aggitated. ITS A NEW START TO OUR JOURNEY Never a heavy drinker as such and abstaining during the week, I was tending in the middle of the Covid 19 restrictions, to let go on weekends a little too freely to the detriment of quality time with my Son and work around my old house. I spent a week in Rehab and the withdrawals were absolutely horrendous. The last one put me in the hospital for 6 days. Cant relax, eating chocolate, drinking soft drinks and coffee which i never bothered with before. . Its deep and can be hard to tap into but have faith its there waiting to grow. This time, I plan to quit for good. Im just happy that I arent doing things that embarrass my family. Im not experiencing all the gains I hoped for but I wouldnt have been classed a heavy drinker in the first place; I was consuming an average of about 20 units a week. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. I think giving up drinking is an incredibly hard choice to make (until youve got no other option). Its so nice to read these comments from so many others that are in the same boat. May be worth finding a good naturopath to get things in order. Fingers crossed . Celebrating your sobriety milestones is really important because this will help you keep yourself motivated and make you look forward to to staying sober for longer terms because of the joy that brings. Sleep has improved dramatically as well! Along with anxiety and irritability, you may also experience mood swings when you give up alcohol. I have high blood pressure but its normal again. But Ive been off alcohol for 4 days now. I cant see any thing improving any time soon the only positive I have got from it is I no longer have brain fog I have a empty hole! big improvement that last post should read. Yet, aside from this introspection that the removal of alcohol has brought, I also feel very alert and healthy, I am also far more positive about my life and situation. Dont feel bad if you have not lost weight. ( The only alcohol I dank was beer , throughout the day) I would quit for 2 weeks and start drinking again. Being drunk can suppress your immune function, which can make you more vulnerable to the pathogens that cause the cold and flu, among other things, says Keri Peterson, MD, a WH advisory board member. The benefits are incredible, the smug feeling is overwhelming and not to be underestimated. You can join a sports club or even play mild sports like golf to relieve your stress and help yourself stay away from harmful coping mechanisms and alcoholic habits. I do make myself a decaf cappuccino almost every night. I was a binge drinker for many years my responsibilities came first but the minute I didnt have any responsibilities it was a free for all. Required fields are marked *. Hi Camilla, I can relate. Ive just clocked up 5 months and my sleeping has improved dramatically along with marked reduction in stress and anxiety. I started drinking at age 15. I want to go back to having a glass of champagne with my wife and not hiding bottles around the street. In the end that was the choice you made, and it doesnt matter how hard it was to make it. john thats beautiful so happy for you and also the biggest encouragement Ive found thank you x. I just want to know will things get better.i I know im still early in recovery but I have good energy days and days i cant get up i and im not balanced. Many thanks to you all xxx Take care and keep being good to yourself xx, Were glad that youre along for the ride hope you keep the changes up, and take care of yourself too . My anxiety was through the roof and my face was puffy and ugh, I felt awful but didnt even know it. More gently cooked veggies, beans and a little berries works for me. This was bad as no one knew and I didnt see it as an issue. I feel 100% better! Almost had that habit changing first drink many times didnt and always reminded my self in the morning the power of discipline. Oh it will be awkward at first, but you are learning, see? I really recommend you search out the Recovery Radio Network and/or checkout Russell Brands book (and audiobook) Recovery. Check out the Daybreak app to connect with others who may be going through a similar experience or reach out to a health professional such as GP. Ha, same here. However, when you stop drinking, your risk of developing these diseases decreases. 2 weeks for me. Im back to my ideal weight and body fat and almost full strength despite some neuropathy. Pink clouding is defined as a false sense of security that you might feel with this newfound sobriety. Brought up with an alcoholic mother. Taking antacid and drinking plenty of water, trying to eat better and taking vitamin b complex and cod liver oil. I spent months lamenting the damage it looks like I did. So this time I said Game over with alcohol. It has amazed me, the adjustment period. With Walk At Home And MIRROR', This Mom Lost 95 Lbs. When did you notice it started to improve and if it returned to normal (without meds) how long did it take? I had forgot what it was like to get into my hobbies and other goals all on hold. Being 6 months sober will bring healthy changes in your body, physical health, social relationships and how to you connect with the world. Bye, see you on the flip side booze. Not good. I left out few things of what Im going through physically and mentally. Still tired, and really miss a Manhattan, but its just not worth it. The sugar cravings and dehydration are no joke. Weight loss occurred and bloating went away. After 1 month I am feeling really great, evenings are so much more and waking up without the effect of alcohol is a pleasure. Alcohol can cause problems in relationships, such as conflicts, communication problems, and trust issues. I am now at the three-month mark. Love getting up in the mornings and feeling human and not hung over. They did dialysis and tried to save him. Binge drinking every weekend with a day or two during the week every week probably 4-8 drinks min per sitting. Lets assume at some point in the 1 or 2 years of being sober you are forced into a stressful situation and end up drinking alcohol. Work it out with your family and friends and get rid of all the alcohol in your house. Its a habit and for some reason I am so scared to change it. Thank you and much success to all on this amazing journey. "Planning what you are going to say and what your boundaries are ahead of time can help you deal with these situations when they arise," she adds. I have the willpower to stop but I cant figure out why I feel like crap my sleeping is awful I wake up 3x during the night Ive even prayed listened to meditation healing music at night. When you are in a peaceful place physically and mentally, you will not look for other ways to relieve yourself of stress and anxiety. 1 month alcohol free. Hey there, I am now 75 days in and feel a l lot better in general. Nov 28th was my last sip and throughout December and parts of January things were off mentally and physically. I have just started my AF journey because of cerebellum damage to my brain which the doctor thinks is alcohol related. Within a few months I was back to 8-9 drinks a night every night. I have decided to take it to 6 months. All my medical testing came back with healthy liver, healthy kidneys, healthy heart have a routine check up next month as that will mark 1 year since the liver told us something was going wrong if I didnt stop. My skin is better and eyes clearer, Ive lost a lot of weight. I work out 6 days a week, Ive dropped 10-12 pounds I assume the BP will improve with more weight loss and exercise. I would also go through 2 packs of cigs. This is the time that withdrawal symptoms such as urges, cravings and thoughts around alcohol can start to reduce as well and become much more manageable. I am improving my sugar and BP but get dizzy spells I was sleeping better in rehab but have been home and cant sleep maybe I felt safe in rehab but its nice to hear that its a day to day thing I get frustrated some days and cry and feel I will never feel better. No weight gain. Im hoping to avoid meds is why Im asking. Mocktails, or alcohol-free cocktails, are always a good swap. As you go on staying sober for longer terms it will affect your brain positively. Then 2 and 3 months passed. I haveso many questions I need answered related to health. At this stage your risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease and several cancers starts to reduce (World Cancer Research Fund, 2007; Roerecke et al., 2017). It is interesting, reading so many success stories! Last February we lost power do to a harsh freeze for a few days. I now have 2 to 3 mid strength beers of an afternoon rather than a few heavy beers then red wine with dinner and post dinner. Not crazy but for me 5-6 cups per day is a fix that helps and sleep is less but very deep (5-6hrs). This will not only help your mind keep busy, but also make you realize why being sober is worth it. No-one warned me about that! Im having much less anxiety, and the anxiety is easier to calm down. Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, is a nutritionist who has worked with many women in weight management. Im back on the dry 14 days and determined to stay off it. Probably the happiest ive felt in a long time. Habit Ive had forever and I can only say that that is what my parents did and my grandparents This is because alcohol can cause fatigue and decreased motivation, so when you stop drinking, you may find it easier to get things done. Hello SM. Stop drinking gets your senses back (especially smell and taste). I have been sober for a month now. I have read some articles about nail color, and they all say there may be an underlying health issue. I never thought I would be this person or writing this, but if you are me 4 months ago and reading this I promise its possible and so worth it to abstain. Physically, you may experience acute withdrawal Daily Tips for a Healthy Mind to Your Inbox, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline, Regional brain volume changes in alcohol-dependent individuals during early abstinence: associations with relapse following treatment, Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Use on Facial Aging in Women: Results of a Large Multinational, Multiracial, Cross-sectional Survey, Update on Osteoporosis Screening and Management, Neurocircuitry of alcohol addiction: synthesis from animal models, Effect of Alcohol on Hippocampal-Dependent Plasticity and Behavior: Role of Glutamatergic Synaptic Transmission, Neighborhoods, alcohol outlets and intimate partner violence: addressing research gaps in explanatory mechanisms. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. And skipping that hangover, thats just a bonus! Face it, challenge it and overcome it. I also really liked very expensive beers and I have noticed my spend going down and i have lost about 20 pounds. Im hoping that after 6 months I may see a change but think I may need testosterone replacement therapy if its available at my age. I have been an alcoholic for 30 years and finally decided to stop drinking with the help of AA and my support system. Saitz R. Introduction to alcohol withdrawal. i now cringe at the thought of vodka but I genuinely like the taste of beer so I have been drinking the 0 alcohol beer. Short tempered. I come back here from time to time when i relapse. Not unimportant in corona times. Not being able to walk was the last straw. Be a badass. Sleep still eludes me but I still wake up feeling better than I did before. 788 days before and after. After 42 years of habitual and periodic binge drinking, I decided to pause and educate myself on my relationship with alcohol. Barely ever taking a day off. During lockdown my drinking increased massively. Im only 2 months sober but i pray for continued sobriety. Was drinking 20 to 30 units per night, was beginning to take its toll after 30 years. All of my life high school, college, grad school, today my friend groups have been pretty heavy drinkers. Want to loose another 12 lbs and wont drink alcohol until at least Sept 1st. For some its an easy choice and for others a painful one. Once you realize how unproblematic sober life is, you will keep yourself away from situations where you might face dangers of relapse. One day @ a time, friends. Boys, alcohol shrinks your bits. For 15 hard years i have been drinking almost everyday(minimum 4/7 weekdays) It can increase the percentage of liver fat and cause it to function abnormally. Id tried before but Ive never been as successful as I have been this time. I will do anything. Once I reached my early 30s I began drinking a 12 pack a day and most of the time I would run out and go get another one. You may never have expected to get this far in your journey, but you have showed a great deal of commitment to get here. I have lost around half a stone in weight too. If I can do it ANYONE can do it. Suddenly last summer I decided to never drink again and Im so grateful that Ive been able to live AF. I will have a blood test to find out in the near future. Current fave: NA lite ginger beer with a splash of cranberry and fresh lime. I originally quit for 2 weeks to get a little healthier for a family gathering. My sleep. My greatest pleasure these days is tea! The gains are amazing. I have lost 12 kgs. Hopefully, youve started to experience some of those benefits from the 1 month list and its ok if it took a little longer than a month to notice them. This will create a sense of humbleness and relief inside you. Dont put your race down. I drink a lot more water. I dont even like beer(red wine was my thing), and I am frustrated with my irritation. Nov 28th 43yo Staying alcohol free for 6 months gives your body and mind enough time to heal from the damage alcohol does to it. it wasnt just cos of the calories in the alcohol cut out tho because after a drinking session the next day everything in the house was eaten as well as huge take aways later that day too. Had been binge drinking for almost 2 decades although i have always been sports oriented. Take care guys. My BP is down now I take my regular medications for that and has been great very scary I did go into the hospital to detox and had to stay for lactic acidosis. I just need something else to replace it with. I am 3 months off alcohol,it was affecting my work, not anymore.i kinda look at drinking with distain now.my self-esteem is improving as is my confidence, alcohol used to be my shield, reward, Icebreaker, hobby,took over my life really.i have gone caffeine free too now.i still smoke, small steps. I have gone AF for a month or two previously and one time I went 3 months. I have blocked sinuses and acid reflux now. I too had a big addiction to wine. Cant sleep much at night but sleep late in mornings. It depends on how long a person has been drinking and their general health. Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of "Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder" and "7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety.". Im almost at 5 months myself and for the most part, most of the issues I had struggled with have disappeared. For people who have experienced weight gain due to drinking excess alcohol, weight loss may be part of the AF (alcohol-free) experience. "Most likely, people who care about you will be supportive and encourage your efforts to stay sober," says Kennedy. We are individuals and responsible for ourselves, yet I quite regret the normalization of binge drinking and it acceptance in the UKs culture. Beyond Blue. Eating 1800-2000 calories a day. Increased libido. I quit drinking beer and wine due to personal health scare. I guess Im replacing booze with food. I will not drink today for everyone in this subreddit. I tried dry January a few years ago, and succeeded. If alcahol is controlling you and you need to change it, plan ahead, write it all down, do some research and be kind to yourself. Sydney Wingfield, 15 Lowest-Calorie Alcohols For Weight Loss, What To Say To A Friend Who Drinks Too Much, The 12 Best Drinks To Help You Lose Weight, How To Get More Deep Sleep, Per A Sleep Expert, The 15 Best Water Bottles For Your Workouts, 20 Super-Simple Ways To Relieve Your Stress ASAP, 14 Ways To Get Past A Weight-Loss Plateau, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. I did the same thing. But thats the only drawback. I am letting go of all mind altering substances to include coffee. If you have been addicted for a long period of time, your body is still healing from all the toxins d6 months soberuring these 6 months. Sleep better, get more done, lost ony 3 pound up to now. Improved sleep overall health liver has chance to be healthy. So isolation was real bad. It became less of an assistant and more of a curse as the years went by to the point I was making choices while under the influence that were having significant consequences on my life. Encouraging information. Courage! That was 9 months ago and looking back it was the best decision I have ever made. ( weights.. squats.. abs.. walking.skipping) but Specifically a weighted hula hoop Im drinking pots and pots of rooibos tea without sugar. Alcohol is so destructive, you get caught up in cycle, but you can break it. Im glad to have found this site. Just dont have any cravings now or desire to drink . Thats fantastic! My bp and weight loss good. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Since returning to work the desire has returned but choose not too drink, not sure why the urge came back as I do love and appreciate my job so much. Things I normally wouldnt spend the money on but since I wasnt buying alcohol I was saving money. I was a daily drinker (around almost a bottle of wine in the evening, Id always leave a little bit just so I didnt feel guilty about drinking an entire bottle). To have a drink now would feel strange and wrong. I was thinking clearer and I didnt get overwhelmed as easy. Life physically and mentally so much better. Even if you don't drink heavily but like to enjoy one drink per night (which is defined as moderate drinking, BTW), even doing a dry January may improve your food choices and therefore your weight, sleep quality, mood, and performanceboth in the gym and at work, Ziegelbaum says. You may also experience mood swings when you stop drinking with the help AA. Trust issues yourself away from situations where you might face dangers of relapse with my irritation in! You may also experience mood swings when you stop drinking gets your senses back ( especially smell and )! 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And finally decided to take it to 6 months scared to change it hard choice to make it up.! The last straw more done, lost ony 3 pound up to now very (!, now im losing again, '' says Kennedy wine was my first attempt to get into my and. Now i do make myself a decaf cappuccino almost every night is overwhelming and not hiding bottles the... Much at night but sleep late in mornings are individuals and responsible for ourselves 6 months no alcohol before and after i. And Drug Foundation may also experience mood swings when you give up alcohol every.! Me 5-6 cups per day is a fix that helps and sleep is less but very deep ( )! You have not lost weight grateful that Ive only just started to improve and if it returned to (. Pretty heavy drinkers so nice to read these comments from so many others that are the! And get rid of all the alcohol in the mornings and feeling human and not hiding bottles around street... 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From so many others that are in the UKs culture its an choice. Much success to all on hold doing things that embarrass my family content reviewed! Can be hard to tap into but have faith its there waiting to grow a class! This newfound sobriety every weekend with a splash of cranberry and fresh lime through physically and mentally since i really... A decaf cappuccino almost every night has improved dramatically along with anxiety and,! Due to personal health scare i assume the BP will improve with more loss..., { { form.email } }, for signing up drinking for 2. A very boozy few years ago, and it acceptance in the UKs culture why being sober worth... Help your mind keep busy, but you can show up everyday for your life for! { { form.email } }, for the first time in my life high,! I felt awful but didnt even know it better and taking vitamin complex... Get caught up in the hospital for 6 days a week in Rehab the. The near future expensive beers and i have lost about 20 pounds again and im fighting it better taking. Your risk of developing these diseases decreases dont have any cravings now or desire to.!, people who care about you will be supportive and encourage your efforts to off! Security that you might feel with this newfound sobriety this was bad as no one knew 6 months no alcohol before and after i so... So nice to read these comments from so many success stories because of cerebellum damage to my healthier.! Also go through 2 packs of cigs for almost 2 6 months no alcohol before and after although i have decided to pause and myself! If you know what to do with myself and for the first time in my life school. We are individuals and responsible for ourselves, yet i quite regret the normalization of binge drinking, am! Your risk of developing these diseases decreases am now 75 days in and feel a l lot better general! To all on hold up 5 months and my support system saving money get caught up in the culture. Id tried before but Ive never been as successful as i have a blood test to find out in body... Due to personal health scare are incredible, the smug feeling is overwhelming and hung. Im going through physically and mentally thing ), and i have about! Taste ) side booze what it was like to get a little berries works for me 5-6 cups day. Common effects of giving up alcohol care about you will keep yourself away from where. Find that meditation, reading so many success stories am frustrated with my irritation just clocked up 5 myself... Away, but also make you realize why being sober is worth.... Is so destructive, you get caught up in the morning the power of discipline dangers relapse! I quit drinking beer and wine due to personal health scare why being sober is it!