Exactly what happens hours, days, weeks and months after you stop drinking alcohol – and the immediate dangers

MOST people know that giving up alcohol will be good for their health.

But the benefits of going booze-free can surface far quicker than you might think.

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Some positives occur in as little as 60 minutes, while others can take months but will last a lifetime.

From clear skin to weight loss and better quality sleep – it’s pretty much all good news for your mind and body.

So, if you’re tackling Dry January this year – or you’ve decided to give up alcohol for good – here’s what you can expect.

1 hour

As the alcohol leaves your bloodstream (at a rate of about one unit per hour), you may see your speech and balance improve.

4 to 8 hours

Four to eight hours in, you’ll likely be wide awake, or tossing and turning in your sleep.

You may also notice your hands shaking a little, bouts of anxiety, and excessive sweating, according to the Priory Group.

12 hours

The 12-hour mark is when dehydration really kicks in.

Experts say drinking six glasses of wine means losing between 19 and 24 glasses of water, so it’s no wonder you’re extremely thirsty.

You may also have headaches, fatigue, nausea, low mood, increased blood pressure and a raised heart rate.

24 hours

While most of the booze will be out of your system by now, some will remain.

And these remnants will continue to mess with your digestive system – think stomach pain, diarrhoea and constipation.

This period can be dangerous for people reliant on alcohol, the Priory Group warns.

In severe cases, people can develop delirium tremens (DTs), which include seizures, hallucinations and significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure.

2 to 3 days

Now the toxins have cleared from your body completely, your kidneys and other organs should just about return to normal.

But you might feel a bit under the weather, as levels of dopamine (a mood-boosting chemical in the brain) remain low.

You may also notice you’re grumpier than normal – but it’s going to get better.

4 to 5 days

By this point, your bowel movements should be less irregular, your stomach pain should have subsided and the acid in your tummy should have reduced.

Overall, your symptoms should have started to clear.

However, sleep problems are still common in this stage – but resist the temptation to reach for a drink to help you nod off.

Instead, try things like limiting screen time, having a warm bath or listening to soothing music before bed.

5 to 7 days

Feel-good chemicals should return to normal by day seven, providing a much-needed mood boost and improved sleep.

Hopefully, you’ll also no longer be getting up to pee in the middle of night.

But you may experience very vivid dreams around this time, according to Alcohol Change.

“This could be down to increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep,” the charity says.

“REM is the stage of sleep during which we dream.

“When we drink, REM sleep is suppressed, which is why we’re still so tired the next day, even after an eight-hour slumber.”

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2 weeks

Another major benefit of doing Dry January is clearer and smoother skin, according to Cheshire-based private addiction rehab clinic Delamere.

Alcohol dehydrates the body, including the skin, which can cause it to look dull and tired.

Avoiding alcohol means you’re far more hydrated, therefore you’re left with a happier and healthier complexion.

This can happen within two weeks, as can weight loss due to consuming fewer calories and less frequent acid reflux.

Your liver will also start to repair itself, the Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics in Prague, Czech Republic says.

1 month

Research shows just one month without alcohol can reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, liver cirrhosis and obesity.

This is primarily down to blood sugar levels being regulated, cholesterol lowered to a healthy amount and weight loss.

Your mind will likely also be clearer, resulting in better decision making, more creativity, and improved learning and problem solving.

If you exercise, you may also notice you’re performing better and have fewer headaches as you’re more hydrated, the Priory Group says.

And it’s at this stage that the brain begins to repair some of the damage and shrinkage.

One study by Stanford University in California showed that after six weeks of abstaining from alcohol, brain volume increases by an average of two per cent.

3 months

It just keeps getting better. As well as the previous benefits sticking around, you’ll also have far more energy.

“If you stop drinking completely, one of the first things you notice should be improved energy levels, better sleep and finding it easier to wake up in the morning,” Drink Aware says.

1 year

After 12 months without alcohol, most people will leave all cravings and withdrawal symptoms behind.

Studies show regularly heavy drinking interferes with chemicals in the brain that are vital for good mental health, so you should have a more positive mindset.

Your energy levels will likely be higher, your sleep better, and your skin, hair and teeth will almost certainly improve.

Another major win of quitting booze can be weight loss.

A pint of lager contains the same number of calories as a slice of pizza, and a large glass of wine the same as an ice cream sundae, according to Drink Aware.

These ’empty’ calories, plus the food you eat once you’ve had a drink, can mean regular drinkers pile on the pounds.

Stopping can therefore help get the number on the scales down – and keep it that way.

Overall, quitting booze lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease, sexual dysfunction, several types of cancer, and gut problems.

“Stopping drinking could make your life feel brighter in all kinds of ways, as well as helping your long-term health,” Drink Aware says.