{"id":19826,"date":"2022-08-12T10:01:25","date_gmt":"2022-08-12T15:01:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepapergown.zocdoc.com\/?p=19826"},"modified":"2026-02-05T07:40:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T12:40:52","slug":"what-happens-when-you-quit-drinking-alcohol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/what-happens-when-you-quit-drinking-alcohol\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens When You Quit Drinking Alcohol?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Post-Covid-19, sobriety has become cooler. More and more people are becoming \u201csober-curious,\u201d a new trend that entails cutting out alcohol for health reasons. In fact, a 2021 Nielsen study found that 22 percent of consumers were cutting back on alcohol for their well-being.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While moderate alcohol drinking <\/span>might<\/span><\/a> have some benefits, research shows that alcohol consumption can be hard on your body. Heavy drinking <\/span>has been linked to<\/span><\/a> ailments like liver disease, heart disease and <\/span>certain types of cancer.<\/span><\/a> And while the \u201csober-curious\u201d trend is encouraging, the reality is that alcohol is embedded in the fabric of many of our daily lives. While getting sober offers a host of wellness benefits, it\u2019s often not a \u201ctrendy\u201d experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Around <\/span>1 in 8 Americans<\/span><\/a> suffer from alcohol use disorder, defined as a preoccupation with and inability to control one\u2019s drinking. The disorder rose by nearly 50 percent in the first decade of the 2000s, and the pandemic only made Americans\u2019 drinking habits worse; researchers found that binge drinking rose by at least 21 percent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re at your breaking point or are simply sick of the way alcohol makes you feel, we\u2019ve reached out to the experts for some advice on who can help you quit alcohol \u2014 and what happens to your body when you do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStopping alcohol use, especially if you drink often or heavily, can lead to improvements in many areas of physical and mental health,\u201d says Dr. Michael J. McGrath, an addiction medicine physician based in Hawaii. \u201cThe exact changes that someone experiences when they quit using alcohol vary depending on the person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Getting help<\/h2>\n

While some might be able to quit drinking cold turkey, there are specialists<\/a> and support groups<\/a> out there that can help guide you through the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone who thinks they might have a problem with alcohol should first reach out to their <\/span>primary care provider<\/span><\/a>, who can provide referrals and other resources. They might refer you to an addiction specialist<\/a>, a support group (like <\/span>Alcoholics Anonymous<\/span><\/a> or other 12-step alternatives) and\/or a rehabilitation center, depending on your symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Licensed addiction psychiatrists<\/span><\/a>, as well as <\/span>licensed board-certified addiction medicine physicians<\/span><\/a>, have a higher level of training specific to addiction. If needed, a doctor can prescribe <\/span>you <\/span>medication<\/span><\/a> to help minimize withdrawal symptoms and stifle alcohol cravings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWithdrawal management involves using sedative medications, which mimic alcohol\u2019s effects on the brain,\u201d says Dr. Andrew Giannotti, president of the Texas Society of Addiction Medicine. \u201cThey minimize the alcohol withdrawal symptoms, resulting in a safe and more comfortable transition off alcohol.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What happens to your body when you stop drinking<\/h2>\n

The way you first feel after calling it quits can vary greatly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lighter drinkers may experience mild issues. You might have trouble falling asleep without a glass of wine before bed. You may feel more anxious if you used alcohol as a way to self-soothe. You may also <\/span>experience sugar cravings<\/span><\/a>, as your body misses blood sugar spikes it would get from booze.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Heavier drinkers should make sure to check in with a medical provider before quitting due to the potential of developing withdrawal symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPatients should never stop abruptly without seeking medical care,\u201d says Giannotti. \u201cAlcohol withdrawal can sometimes be severe and lead to complications including seizures and death, so it should always be taken seriously.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Withdrawal symptoms can set in <\/span>anywhere from six hours to a few days<\/span><\/a> after stopping drinking, and <\/span>may be minor or extremely serious<\/span><\/a>. As a general rule, the severity of a person’s alcohol withdrawal symptoms is proportional to how much and how long they were drinking before they stopped.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typical withdrawal symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n