What Happens To Your Body After One Month Of No Alcohol?

An increasing number of U.S. adults are making the choice to cut down on their drinking or stop drinking alcohol altogether. 

For some, this comes in the form of a “dry” month or switching out alcoholic beverages for mocktails, seltzer, or non-alcoholic beer.

Research shows that cutting down on alcohol use—or entering sobriety after a period of alcohol abuse—can have a number of benefits, both for physical and mental health.

What Are The Physical Effects Of Going Dry For 30 Days?

Research shows that cutting out alcohol, even for just a month, can have a number of positive effects for physical well-being and overall health status. 

In fact, the effects can be so positive that going dry for a month has gained national and even global recognition, with movements such as Dry January or Sober October.

Physical benefits of cutting out alcohol may include:

• relief for your liver
• improved energy
• better sleep
• improved digestion
• reduced inflammation
• regulated blood pressure

What Are The Mental Health Effects Of Going Dry?

Your physical health isn’t all that can benefit from going dry for a month. Research shows the effects of no alcohol on mental health may be positive as well.

Within just a month of going dry, you may find yourself feeling happier, less anxious, more clear-headed, and ready to take on the day.

What Happens To Your Body 90 Days After Stopping Drinking?

Giving up alcohol for 90 days, three months, four months, or longer may have more dramatic effects on your overall physical health and mental wellbeing. 

For many, sobriety can be a positive life choice. You’ll feel better physically and mentally. 

And for those who have struggled with a drinking problem, sobriety may be a necessary part of that healing process. 

How Long Does It Take Your Body To Repair Itself From Alcohol?

Heavy drinking can lead to what’s known as alcohol dependence. This is when your body begins to rely on alcohol which may result in alcohol withdrawal.

Resetting your body, or detoxing from alcohol, typically takes three to five days. 

During this time, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal, such as tremors, anxiety, and nausea or vomiting.

Completely resetting from the effects of alcohol, however, can take time—and not all effects may necessarily be reversible.

The timeline for alcohol detox may depend on:

• how much you drink
• how long you’ve been drinking
• other medical or mental health conditions
• use of other drugs
• overall health status
• previous detox attempts
• past or current alcohol use disorder

See more about how long it takes to detox from alcohol.

What To Know About Going Dry

For people with a history of alcohol abuse or addiction, stopping alcohol cold-turkey should not be attempted alone.

Chronic alcohol abuse can cause severe, and potentially life-threatening, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal — including seizures — that may require medical attention.

Risks Of Heavy Alcohol Use

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes heavy drinking as drinking 15 drinks or more per week (for men), or eight drinks or more (for women).

Heavy drinking can increase a number of health risks.

This includes the risk of:

• certain cancers
• mental health problems
• disease of the heart, liver, or kidneys
• alcohol dependence
• high blood pressure
• digestive problems
• weakened immune system
• alcohol overdose
• stroke

Signs You Might Have A Drinking Problem

Excessive drinking can be a sign of alcohol abuse, or alcohol addiction. This may require professional treatment, such as counseling, in addition to alcohol detox.

Signs of alcohol abuse and addiction include:

• frequent, heavy drinking
• feeling psychologically reliant on alcohol
• feeling unable to control your drinking
• trying and failing to cut down on alcohol
• continuing to drink heavily despite negative consequences to health, relationships, or ability to work
• needing alcohol just to feel “normal”
• experiencing alcohol withdrawal within hours of your last drink

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction.

Get Help To Stop Drinking Today

If you need help to drop drinking, Bedrock Recovery Center may be able to help.

We offer alcohol detox and residential treatment that can help you or a loved one get sober, stay sober, and begin to heal from the effects of alcohol addiction.

Don’t wait. Call our helpline to learn more today.