Drinking alcohol is something most people do at least once in their lifetime. A 2018 survey conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that 86 percent of the respondents did admit to drinking. Seventy percent said they had done it in the last year. What happens when you stop, though? What are the benefits of quitting drinking? Learn about how resources like an alcohol detox program can be beneficial to your health, regardless of your stage of addiction.
A Healthier You
Technically, alcohol is a poison, and drinking too much is lethal. Even in amounts that won’t kill you, it has an impact on your health. Alcohol consumption interferes with the functioning of four major organs: brain, heart, liver, and pancreas. These organs also see some benefits of quitting drinking.
Cutting back could lower your blood pressure and reduce the levels of the triglycerides (bad fat) that increase your risk of heart disease. Quitting alcohol gives the liver a chance to heal, too. Alcohol damages the cells of this vital organ, but it has regenerative properties. In other words, it will replace those cells with healthy ones given a chance.
Drinking also impacts the immune system. So, if you give it up, you may find you get sick less often as your body regains its strength and ability to ward off illness.
A Safer You
Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in the US, so improved personal safety ranks high on the list of benefits from quitting drinking. The risks of drinking alcohol beyond just drunk driving and car accidents, though.
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, so it affects balance, coordination, senses, memory, and judgment. People under the influence of it die from falls, drowning, violence, drug overdose, and suicide, as well.
A Better Life for You
There are benefits of quitting drinking that can improve your life, too. When you leave alcohol behind, you have the motivation and focus to work on your relationships, both at home and at work. You may notice improved self-esteem and reduced anxiety. Finding programs like behavioral therapy programs can help create a better future for yourself.
Drinking can put a damper on a person’s sex life. Without it, you might feel a new surge in your libido and a desire to be part of a loving relationship.
Alcohol interferes with the REM stage of sleep. Your nights may be less restless without it, allowing you to wake to feel refreshed and without a hangover.
The Benefit of Quitting Drinking for Just 30 Days
An organization in the UK did a study to determine the benefits of quitting drinking for just 30 days. They found:
- 93 percent felt a sense of achievement from going a month without alcohol
- 88 percent were able to save money during that month to use for other things
- 82 percent developed a better understanding of how alcohol affected their relationships
- 71 percent reported better quality sleep
- 67 percent had more energy
- 58 percent lost weight
- 57 percent could concentrate better
- 54 percent said their skin was clearer
Get Alcohol Addiction Help from Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
Alcohol addiction can control your life if you allow it to. It is important to get the help that you need by reaching out to us. If you or someone you love needs help quitting alcohol, Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston can help put you on the right path. Serenity House Detox & Recovery offers a number of different substance detox programs to our patients. Some of these programs include:
- Alcohol detox center
- Heroin detox center
- Cocaine detox center
- Marijuana detox center
- Prescription drug detox
Detox creates a foundation for recovery. Call us today at 866.516.8356 to find out more.