Considering a Break From Alcohol? How to Start the Process

At this point, all symptoms that are going to happen will be present and will be at their worst. The most dangerous symptoms that can develop will do so as symptoms peak. Seizures can occur, and an uncommon but dangerous condition called delirium tremens can happen at this point in withdrawal. Delirium tremens has a fatality rate of 37% if untreated and is considered a medical emergency.

Don’t keep alcohol in your house. Having no alcohol at home can help limit your drinking.

Excess alcohol consumption may cause weight gain, which means that cutting out alcohol could lead to weight loss for some people. Given that alcohol is so ubiquitous in our culture, some people drink out of habit and haven’t taken the time to take note of its effects. Think about why you are making changes to your drinking – to lose weight, feel healthier, save money, sleep better, or prevent that Sunday morning hangover. Framing sobriety as a temporary challenge versus a permanent lifestyle change can make it easier to stay sober for the long haul. If you say you’re trying to eat less chocolate or exercise more to improve your health, people generally accept it.

You’ll Consume Fewer Calories

If that’s where you’re setting your expectations, you might feel like you gave up something you loved (getting really drunk) for no good reason, even when that’s objectively not true. One way to combat that feeling, Dr. Koob says, is to check in with yourself after a few months of sobriety to take stock of the benefits you’re reaping. Research from 2018 showed that a month-long break from alcohol was enough for moderate-heavy drinkers to see improvements in insulin resistance, blood pressure, body weight, and cancer-related growth factors. When you quit drinking alcohol, there isn’t any way around feeling like you’re missing something. That’s why many how to take a break from drinking of us wonder if a month of avoiding drinking is enough to “reset” your liver back to normal. It’s true that taking a break from alcohol for any amount of time will be beneficial overall, with some research showing that liver function begins to improve in as little as two to three weeks.

I want to get healthier

What’s most important is looking at your drinking habits and finding a way to cut back that works for you. Knowing why you drink is essential, says Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, a Virginia therapist specializing in addiction treatment and alcohol moderation. “There are people who have learned to practice very reasonable alcohol consumption that contributes to psychosocial well-being in a way that does not impair their health,” Kumar noted. “There’s a reason why the legal age of drinking is 21 years. It can cause memory loss and interference with brain development. For college students, being dry is the best thing to do,” he said.

• “Better sleep” was cited by 62 percent, and 49 percent said they lost some weight.
• Setting a quit date is linked to success in sticking to your plan.
• You could ask for it to be served in a spirit or cocktail glass – you might be less likely to be asked why you’re not drinking.
• It was at this point I started to noticed how much better I felt without it.
• NIAAA’s website is full of practical research and science-based methods to help you stop drinking.
• Chronic dehydration can affect how you feel, how your skin looks, your hair quality and your overall well-being.

She says she feels calmer since she became sober, and she has lost 30 pounds. Westman, J.; Wahlbeck, K.; & et al. “Mortality https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and life expectancy of people with alcohol use disorder in Denmark, Finland and Sweden.” Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. If you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.