Giving Up Alcohol – What To Expect

Here’s all you need to know through our guide on giving up alcohol – what to expect. At Rehab Clinics Group, we’re here to help you through your decision, your alcohol withdrawal, and your long-term recovery journey.

Benefits Of Giving Up Alcohol

Withdrawing from and breaking the cycle of alcohol consumption will offer up many benefits. Immediate short-term benefits are expected, as are some long-term positives. Depending on your reason for giving up alcohol, such benefits may in fact be life-changing and saving.

If you’re looking to cut down your consumption to benefit your health, you can expect to do just that by giving up alcohol. Alcohol is a disruptive substance that impacts how the body and brain operate. Through long-term consumption, organ damage is common, addiction risks are high, and ill-health is expected.

If you’re giving up alcohol due to addictive behaviour, reflective of alcohol abuse or alcoholism, significant benefits can be expected. Alcohol abuse and addiction can disrupt a multitude of areas, across a lifetime. Health and wellbeing, relationships, finances, careers, and personal value can all deteriorate through alcohol problems. Restoring and rebuilding all, along with saving years upon years of struggles will be benefited from.

Short term benefits of getting clean

• Improved mental health
• Better quality sleep and rest
• Healthier appearance
• Less bloating and digestive problems
• Increased energy levels
• Clearer thinking
• Increased productivity
• The start of healthier habits
• Financial savings

Long term benefits of getting clean

• Reduces the risk of cancer
• Heals the vital organs
• Restores physical and psychological functionality
• Stabilises mental health
• Overcomes addictive behaviours
• Rebuilds relationships with oneself and others
• Strengthens the immune system
• Ingrains healthy habits and lifestyle choices
• Significant financial savings
• Life-saving effects

Now you’re aware of some of the likely benefits, here’s some more insight into giving up alcohol – what to expect.

Due to possible complications and challenges, always prepare and always reach out for professional support. A successful withdrawal process will be more likely through direction and through knowing what to expect through the entire process.

What happens when you give up alcohol? – A timeline

The withdrawal process will pan out differently for each person. The amount of alcohol that has been consumed, gender, age and overall health will affect the process. An average timeline of giving up alcohol follows as:

Initial hours post-consumption: The start of withdrawal symptoms, including excessive sweating, anxiety, and irritability.

12-24 hours post-consumption: Alcohol cravings are common, alongside heightened withdrawal symptoms. Mental health can begin to suppress, as can motivation levels.

Up to 72 hours post-consumption: The risk of chronic withdrawal symptoms, such as increased blood pressure, paranoia and panic, seizures, severe dehydration, and the hazardous risk of delirium tremens.

3 to 7 days post-consumption: For the average person, withdrawal symptoms will begin to subsidies, although cravings can commonly reside. If symptoms do continue and are untreated, withdrawal can become dangerous, resulting in alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

1 to 2 weeks post-consumption: The body and mind will begin to stabilise. Most detox processes will end here, followed by addiction treatment for alcoholics.

3 to 4 weeks post-consumption: Signs of improved health. Better quality sleep, a balanced mind, higher levels of energy, healthier appearance, less bloating and greater stability are common signs.

2 to 6 months post-consumption: Giving up alcohol for a number of months will lead to drastic lifestyle changes. Motivation will be at an all-time high. Averagely, withdrawal symptoms will have diminished. Positives can be taken from the commitment. A sense of normality can be felt.

1-year post-consumption: Being sober for 1 year will display a change in intentions and habits. Physical and psychological health will be noticeably stronger. All areas of life can improve to this point.

To progress through the above timeline, a medically assisted alcohol detox will be essential if you are battling an addiction. Withdrawal symptoms can be challenging and dangerous, benefiting from residential treatment and medical intervention.

For the long-term benefits to transpire, a full treatment programme must also be completed. Via an alcohol rehab clinic, a comprehensive recovery journey can be arranged. Therapy, mental health treatments, relapse prevention and aftercare will help you reach the 1-year milestone of giving up alcohol, and beyond.

Reach out for our support whilst getting sober, or for more insight into giving up alcohol – what to expect. We are here to offer a transparent look into alcohol withdrawal, its benefits, its challenges, and its place in your life.