When people think about quitting drinking, the first thing that usually comes to mind is weight loss. After all, who wants to gain weight after years of dieting? While it’s often true that people who stop drinking weight gain, it’s not always the case. Let’s take a look at how much weight you can lose by avoiding drink.
The Good
While not drinking may help you lose weight, it also has some fantastic benefits. Quitting alcohol may reduce your chances of developing certain diseases, like liver cancer and cirrhosis. This is because alcohol is a known carcinogen, which means it may cause cancer. This is particularly relevant since 90% of liver cancers are attributed to alcohol. Avoiding alcohol may also reverse some of the harmful effects of binge drinking, like memory loss and nerve damage. Drinking alcohol is also linked to heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and oral cancer. It may also worsen depression and anxiety, so quitting may actually help you feel happier and more relaxed.
On the negative side, not drinking may result in food cravings. This is because alcohol acts as a brake on your appetite, especially if you’re on a diet. When you drink alcohol, you may also get drunk, which can cause you to eat more. This type of drinking also affects adults and children differently – children generally have a lower appetite while adults tend to eat more. Because of this, kids may lose weight faster if they stop drinking, while adults may need to change their eating habits to see the results.
The Bad
While there are many health advantages to avoiding alcohol, it’s also important to consider the disadvantages. When people stop drinking, they sometimes experience a rise in seizures and migraines. This is because the body needs time to adjust to life without alcohol. If you’re one of the people who experience these symptoms, you may need to up your medication or get a neurologist’s help. The good news is that these symptoms improve over time and most people get used to their new selves within a couple of weeks.
Another disadvantage is that when you don’t drink, you’re more likely to get sick. This is because when you drink, your body produces more antibodies which help your body fight off illnesses. When you stop drinking, your body doesn’t produce these antibodies as well, so you’re more likely to get sick. The general recommendation is to drink in moderation and if you do choose to drink, to enjoy it while you’re in good health.
The Ugly
As you may have guessed from the name, the ugly side of not drinking is quite ugly. When people decide to quit drinking, they sometimes experience a big decrease in self-control. This is particularly relevant since it takes a lot of self-control to resist the urge to drink when you’re offered a drink. If you’ve ever tried to stop drinking, you may know exactly what I mean. It can be very difficult to resist the temptation of alcohol when you’re offered a drink by a friend or at a social gathering. This is why if you do decide to stop drinking, you need to do it with extreme caution and make sure that you have everything under control before you make the adjustment.
Final Takeaway
Like many other addictions, quitting drinking isn’t easy. It takes a lot of self-control and willpower to resist the urge to drink when you’ve been offered a drink. However, the health advantages and benefits to avoiding alcohol are too important to ignore, especially if you’re already considering quitting. If you’re struggling with your alcohol addiction, please don’t hesitate to contact me or a support group near you for help. Hopefully, this post has helped you see the advantages of not drinking, which may encourage you to try it out and see how much better you feel without the alcohol in your life.