A Step-by-Step Walk-Through

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 10.2% of people ages 12 and up are suffering from alcohol use disorder. Out of these, the CDC says 178,000 die from excessive drinking each year.

The sad reality is that drinking alcohol isn’t all fun and games. Once you become addicted, it can take a toll on your well-being.

It’s difficult to stop drinking as you can experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. That said, giving up alcohol is one of the most powerful decisions you can make. You can turn your life around no matter how long it’s been.

In this article, we walk you through what happens when you stop drinking alcohol. Plus, read on for our guide on alcohol addiction treatment.

Why Alcohol Is So Hard to Quit

Quitting alcohol takes more than just willpower. If you’re a heavy drinker, alcohol can affect how your brain works. It interferes with your brain’s communication pathways and alters your neurons. Over time, you develop alcohol dependence.

Alcohol use disorder happens when alcohol consumption changes your brain structure and functions. You’ll experience differences in your thinking and feeling, and it becomes difficult to control your intake.

Your body starts to rely on alcohol just to function.

Not only that, heavy drinking can hold a psychological grip, especially if you’re facing troubles in life. People may use it to escape stress, trauma, and loneliness.

Just know that if you’ve tried to quit before but couldn’t, that doesn’t mean you’re weak. You’re dealing with a powerful chemical reaction that requires professional help to overcome.

The good news is that recovery is possible once you stop drinking alcohol!

Alcohol’s Damage to Your Body

For those with alcohol use disorder, drinking alcohol causes damage to every part of the body. It can even add to your risk of several types of cancer.

These are just some of the effects of alcohol.

  • Endocrine System: Alcohol can disrupt your hormones, causing thyroid diseases and reproductive dysfunction. It can also lead to diabetes due to increased body weight and decreased insulin sensitivity.
  • Gastrointestinal System: Alcohol can damage your GI tract’s lining and cause gastroesophageal reflux. It affects your gut’s microbiome, which adds to your risk for colorectal cancer.
  • Heart and Circulatory System: Alcohol causes heart disease. Heavy drinking leads to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, anemia, and a heart attack.
  • Immune System: Alcohol consumption also affects your immune system. It lowers your body’s defense against infection and expedites certain diseases.
  • Liver: Fatty liver and other liver diseases are common among those with alcohol addiction. Alcohol-associated hepatitis, cirrhosis, and steatosis can happen.
  • Mental Health: Alcohol can worsen depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. It can make managing your emotions difficult and affect your relationships.

What Happens When You Quit Drinking Alcohol?

What happens after you quit drinking varies depending on the severity of the addiction. For someone with alcohol use disorder, here’s a general timeline.

1. A Few Hours After Your Last Drink

Mild withdrawal symptoms may start 6 to 12 hours after your last glass of wine. You may experience insomnia, headache, and slight feelings of panic.

2. One Day After Your Last Drink

Severe withdrawal symptoms happen within 24 hours of your last drink. This is when you begin to have intense cravings and hallucinations.

3. Two to Three Days After Your Last Drink

The peak of withdrawal happens within the third day of your last alcohol intake.

For the worst cases, delirium tremens can occur within 48 to 72 hours. This is a life-threatening alcohol withdrawal symptom that needs immediate medical care.

Here, you can have symptoms like tremors, confusion, agitation, and psychosis. Some people may have seizures. The body can heat up, causing intense sweating and a fast heart rate.

4. One Week After Your Last Drink

Withdrawal symptoms die down after four to seven days. However, you may have stronger cravings than ever.

Since your body is no longer affected by the physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, you will start getting the urge to drink. Rehab centers can offer medication to keep these cravings down.

5. Two Weeks After Your Last Drink

Positive changes happen within two weeks of your alcohol-free life. Your GI tract begins to heal. You feel less bloated, and heartburn incidents lessen. Your bowel movements become more natural, you’ll have better sleep, and your skin will feel more hydrated.

6. Two Months After Your Last Drink

After two months of quitting alcohol, your liver functions improve. Your mood and mental clarity get better. You’ll now find it easier to concentrate as the brain fog clears.

On top of this, your blood sugar will stabilize and your risk of heart disease will lessen.

7. Six Months After Your Last Drink

After half a year, your body has mostly returned to its healthy state. You can finally feel normal, although cravings can still sometimes appear.

You get your mental health back on track as you realize that not drinking means spending less money. You can move into a new home, rebuild trust with your loved ones, and focus on your well-being.

8. One Year and Beyond

After a year of sobriety, you may feel strong enough to return to school or work. Your life can completely change for the better, and you can even help other people struggling with alcoholism!

Tips for Helping a Loved One Struggling With Alcoholism

Watching a loved one struggle with substance use can be difficult. However, with your support, they can get better.

Here are some tips that can help.

  • Do Your Research: Learn about alcohol use disorder. Research how addiction works and understand why quitting is so difficult.
  • Choose the Right Timing: Express your concern in a judgment-free way. The right timing is when they’re in a peaceful environment free from distractions.
  • Offer Your Support: Let them know that you can help them take the first steps. Offer to take them to doctor’s appointments or support groups.
  • Be Patient: Setbacks are common, so be patient with your loved one.
  • Consult with a Healthcare Professional: Healthcare professionals can walk you through how to help a loved one. They can give you tips and even facilitate an intervention.

What Does Alcohol Addiction Treatment Look Like?

If you’re having trouble with alcoholism, the best way to overcome it is with help from medical professionals. With alcohol addiction, proper treatment and a safe environment can go a long way.

Here’s what alcohol addiction treatment at NJ Addiction Resources looks like.

1. Initial Assessment

First, we assess your overall health and determine the extent of the addiction. Afterward, we tailor a program based on your circumstances.

During assessment, we present you with the best treatment options. These can include the following:

  • Inpatient Treatment: Inpatient treatment is for those with serious addictions. It’s more expensive, but you get 24/7 monitoring for your safety.
  • Outpatient Treatment: Outpatient treatment is more flexible and affordable. It lets you continue with normal life after your daily sessions.
  • Intensive Outpatient: The intensive outpatient program offers a high level of care but doesn’t require you to live at the center full-time.

2. Detox

The next step to wellness is detoxification, where you expel all the alcohol from your system. Detox can be a scary part of recovery because it’s when you experience all the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

That said, you don’t have to worry with NJ Addiction Resources’ help. We ensure you stay safe and comfortable with medication-assisted treatment. Here, we use prescription medication to manage your cravings and other symptoms.

We make sure you have proper hydration through IV drips. Plus, we give you the best meals to support your recovery.

3. Therapy Sessions

Therapy can help you deal with alcohol-related traumas and build better habits. These are just some of the available therapies at our facility.

  • Group Therapy: In group therapy, you’ll join a support group where you can share your experiences. It’s a judgment-free place that can help you sort through your emotions.
  • Individual Therapy: Individual therapy rewires your brain and identifies the source of the addiction. It addresses negative behaviors that are potentially harming your life.
  • Telehealth: Telehealth is for those with no time to visit the rehab center. You can get access to healthcare professionals even when you’re in a rural area.

4. Continuous Support and Aftercare

Lastly, at NJ Addiction Resources, you receive support even after you leave the facility. We can help you find good transitional homes, and we offer continuous care should you need it.

You never have to feel alone again as you live a life in sobriety!

Conclusion

So, what happens when you quit drinking alcohol? The short answer is that your body begins to heal, and your life can truly change for the better.

It takes a bit of effort, but with a professional’s help, you can succeed. You don’t have to go through this difficult time alone. You can call our helpline today, and we’ll make sure you have everything you need to recover.