A month without alcohol can have many benefits, both at the body level and at the brain level, say specialists. In some cases, it may even be the beginning of a new lifestyle.
Lack of alcohol for 30 days can help you quit all photo pexels
Countless studies have shown links between excessive consumption of alcohol and cancer, heart failure and diabetes, among other chronic health issues. Instead, according to The Telegraph, the alcohol -free month may not only be beneficial for physical health, but also for mental well -being.
“Alcohol can also affect the quality of sleep, so you will have more energy. Regular and excessive alcohol consumption can also have a negative effect on mental well -being. Although 56% of British say they consume alcohol for relaxation, this is only a temporary relief and may worsen the general well -mental state”Says Dr. Cariy from the Rehabilitation Clinic in Cheshire.
In terms of physical health, “The consumption of large amounts of alcohol over an extended period of time can increase blood pressure”says Dr. Cary, “”and can lead to more health complications in the future. When you give up alcohol, blood pressure will decrease, which can help prevent heart failure, stroke and myocardial infarction. “
Regarding a sudden stop of alcohol consumption, for a limited period of time, Dr. Cary warns that “to demonstrate ” That you can give up alcohol for only a few weeks does not necessarily mean a healthy relationship with alcohol.
“It promotes this negative mentality that, if someone can live without alcohol for a fixed period, it does not have a dangerous relationship, when, in fact, it has a problem with a substance. she says.
How bad is alcohol
Photo The Telegraph
- Alcohol brakes the “excitatory” messengers of our brain and amplifies the “inhibitors”, making us feel lazy.
- The level of dopamine increases, a chemical that provides us with a well-being, from the brain reward center, tricking us to believe that we feel better.
- In a few minutes, our thinking, breathing and heart rate begin to slow down. Exaggeration can kill.
- Excessive consumption and often can damage the connections between neurons and can interfere with how the brain processes the information.
- In general, the liver can only process 30 ml. of alcohol per hour. The consumption of a larger amount of alcohol can increase the blood alcohol content dangerously and rapidly.
- It is possible to feel its effects in a few minutes, but the blood alcohol level will only reach the tip in another 40-90 minutes.
- Over 90% of people who drink much develop liver steatosis, who can cause fatigue, weight loss and pain.
- In most people, the body will absorb alcohol faster if the acid level is increased or if the stomach is empty.
A complete reset
For some, a month without consuming alcohol is the beginning of a complete reset. Lucy Baker, 46-year-old, trusted coach from Lincolnshire, gave up for a few weeks in 2022 and, and later he completely reset her consumption habits. “I worked in advertising and, for 18 years, my social life was centered on alcohol – it was simply the norm”, she says.
His previous attempts to reduce the consumption were unsuccessful because of the social circle. “I stopped when I became pregnant, but I started drinking again in the copy of others ”she tells.
Things have changed on a vacation in Ibiza. “I met an old boy boy, who told me he stopped. When I returned home, I thought, “Why do I drink?”. Lucy then decided to stop for a month: “I started to feel very good. I didn't drink much at home, but I made the choice to stop and when I was gone. I went to a bachelor party and drank a toning, without drinking white wine. It took me by surprise that I didn't have to wonder if I would have a hangover the next day. ”
Now, Lucy drinks occasionally and has more energy and goes more to the room.
The benefits of a one month break
Dr. Ross Perry, a generalist, explains what the benefits of an alcohol -free month are: “After the last drink, the liver begins to work additionally, and the pancreas begins to produce additional insulin. It is important to drink a lot of water, because your body will remove toxins through the liver and kidneys, so you will go to the toilet more often.It takes up to 72 hours until you feel “normal” mentally and physically “.
After two weeks, “You will probably notice a decrease in body weight, reduction of circles and much less bloating around the stomach, as well as cleaner skin ”he continues. “After three weeks, blood pressure can decrease. After a month, the skin and eyes will look brighter and cleaner – the fat in the liver is reduced by up to 15%, increasing its ability to eliminate toxins.”
Light hepatic diseases such as liver steatosis, can be completely reversed (How long does this last will depend on the state of the liver and the age of the person)if a person no longer consumes complete alcohol, explains the doctor: “When there is no alcohol in the blood for several months, hepatic cells can often be repaired gradually and can return to normal.”
Most of us believe that we drink “moderate”but Sean Gay, counselor and book author “Sober on a Drark Planet”, He discovered that his alcohol consumption was out of control and stopped at 31:
“We are conditioned by the society to believe that drinking and hangover are” fun “, but empty wallets, hangover mornings and anxiety are far from so.”
Sean believes that “Many people have spent their full maturity using alcohol as emotional help – so a single free month will not suddenly cancel all physical, mental, emotional and financial problems caused by alcohol consumption since adolescence. “
For him, as well as for many others, “Alcohol is an antidepressant, so it's no wonder that hangover and depression go hand in hand. Alcohol also releases cortisol, stress hormone, in our system. A single long night in town can leave cortisol in our body for seven days”.
Sitting a habit, the piping benefit
The main benefit of an entire alcohol -free month is to give up this habit, says Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click: `It takes about 30 days to form a habit, so not drinking for four or five weeks can help you stop ”.
In the long term, however, you will return from where you left off, if you return to previous habits. “Thirty days without drinking are not enough to reverse any long -term damage. If you return directly to drink it will be a waste of time“He says.
Most people may not give up permanently. But for anyone who is concerned about his health, finances or his disposition, a month without alcohol is the perfect opportunity to take a step back and to reset his relationship with alcohol – maybe definitive.
