Once you get through that part of the process, youll start to feel better physically and mentally.
Unhealthy drinking is a continuum.
Cognitive, emotional, and sleep disturbances can occur at even moderate levels of drinking.
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As one drinks more over time, these disturbances get worse and become more difficult to reverse.
As alcohol is broken down and metabolized by your body, toxins get released.
Alcohol also affects your mind.
Alcohol can also trigger the release of chemicals called endorphins and raise levels of the feel good hormone dopamine.
Neurotransmitters can rebound beyond their usual activity levels, which can leave you feeling anxious and irritable.
Volpicelli explains that this volleying can also lead to low motivation or anxiety and depression.
The ability to learn, remember, plan, and focus all becomes compromised.
Binge drinking can lead to consuming an extra 600 calories or more in a day.
A big part of alcohol recovery is taking steps to improve your lifestyle through changes like diet andexercise.
Alcohol can also affect digestion, storage, utilization, and excretion of nutrients.
Thats why its common for people who use alcohol to be malnourished.
When you do get sick, youll probably feel like you recover more easily when youre sober.
Lower Cancer Risk
Alcohol is a cancer-causing substance (carcinogen).
Improved Sleep
Alcohol use and poor sleepare closely linked because alcohol messes with your sleep-wake cycle.
Volpicelli notes that the relationship between sleep and drinking is complex.
One study found that around 70% of participants had sleep problems when they were admitted for alcohol treatment.
If youve stopped drinking and still cant sleep, talk to your provider.
There are many things that can affect your sleepphysically and mentally.
But there are also things you’re able to do to cope and improve your sleep.
Trouble sleeping is common after you stop drinking, especially early in recovery.
You may notice that you have better memory and can think more clearly after you stop drinking alcohol.
Behavioral interventions, medications, and social support can all play a role in your alcohol recovery.
Start by talking to your doctor about how much alcohol youve been using and your plan to quit.
Other medicines, counseling, and psychosocial support can also help to abstain or reduce unhealthy drinking.
Your doctor can recommend medications that can help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings during your recovery.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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