The 8 most important benefits of giving up alcohol

These are the health benefits of giving up alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol is a socially accepted drug, and whether we are addicted to it or not, our body and mind suffer from the effects of this substance.

That is why in this article we will see the main benefits of giving up alcoholalthough there are more.

The effect of alcohol on the body

Before knowing the advantages of giving up alcoholic beverages, we will see what alcohol is and how it acts in our brain, and then talk about alcohol addiction and the benefits of stopping alcohol consumption (whether you are addicted or not).

Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant.. At the chemical level, it is an acetaldehyde metabolite; it is a simple, lipid and water-soluble molecule, which acts by disrupting neuronal membranes.

Specifically, its mechanism of action consists of agonizing GABA-a and antagonizing glutamate. These two substances are neurotransmitters; GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, and glutamate is the main excitatory one.

So alcohol, in fact, is a drug; in fact, it is a socially accepted drug, and because it is legal, many experts consider it one of the most dangerous drugs, especially because of the easy access we have to it. to it.

The benefits of giving up alcohol are numerous, and taking them into account can help us to stop consuming it, or at least to reduce its consumption.

Alcohol addiction

Alcohol, like any drug, can produce different disorders. Its addiction is dangerous, and according to DSM-5 (Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders) figures, up to 4.6% of the population between the ages of 12 and 17 suffer from an alcohol use disorder (addiction). This figure rises to 8.5% in the older population. In terms of gender distribution, 12.2% are male, compared to 4.9% of females.

The development of an addiction to alcohol (popularly known as alcoholism) entails a series of very harmful consequences for the person, in all spheres of his or her life and in his or her own organism, with the added risk of suffering complications of different kinds. For example, problems of the stomach, esophagus, liver, pancreas, colon, breasts... can appear.

It is important to note that it is not necessary to have an addiction to alcohol, or a very frequent consumption of it, to develop all these types of problems, since the mere fact of drinking is harmful to health (logically, the more we drink, the worse it is).

8 benefits of giving up alcohol

What are the benefits of giving up alcohol? Here you will find several of them.

Overcoming an addiction to this substance is not an easy task, as people who suffer from it know very well, but if it is achieved, the benefits of giving up alcohol are numerous, the benefits of quitting alcohol are numerous, both physiologically, psychologically and socially (in this article, we will focus on the benefits of quitting alcohol). (in this article, we will focus on the physiological and psychological benefits).

These benefits also arise from the simple fact of stopping drinking, even if we do not have a diagnosed addiction. In other words, these health benefits are applicable to any person who consumes alcohol to a greater or lesser extent, and who decides to stop doing so. They are the following.

1. Improvement in mood

The first of the benefits of giving up alcohol is the improvement at the psychological level, especially in mood. The person who has overcome an addiction can embark on a freer path, where no substance a freer path, where no substance dominates or controls his or her life and emotions..

In addition, alcoholics often show irritability and mood swings, whether in a binge or withdrawal phase, which seriously damages their emotional health and that of the people around them.

2. Avoidance of stomach and/or liver diseases

It is a fact that alcohol consumption, especially in the long term, carries a great risk of developing different types of diseases, the most frequent being those affecting the stomach and liver.

Thus, giving up this practice reduces the risk of developing these types of diseases (e.g. cirrhosis, hepatitis, stomach cancer, esophagitis, etc.). In the case of the liver, for example, this is because, when you stop drinking alcohol, it has to process less fat, and therefore works better..

3. Improved immune system

People who consume alcohol frequently have a higher risk of developing almost any type of disease, especially one caused by viruses or bacteria. This is because the immune system is weakened, as alcohol inhibits cytokines.proteins that coordinate the immune system response.

Therefore, another benefit of giving up alcohol is a greater immunization against different pathogens that can make us sick.

4. Improved sleep

Alcohol is a substance that can also alter our sleep patterns (circadian sleep-wake rhythms). That is why stop drinking will help us to regulate these patterns and by extension, our sleep will improve substantially.our sleep will improve substantially. Thus, for example, we will have a more restful and less fragmented sleep.

5. Weight loss

Another benefit of giving up alcohol is that it helps to lose weight. This is either a health benefit or an aesthetic benefit (for some people).

Why do we lose weight when we stop drinking? For two reasons: because you avoid ingesting the calories that alcohol contains, and because alcohol stimulates other senses, increasing appetite on many occasions. In addition, we often associate a glass of wine or a glass of beer with a tapa.

6. Improves the appearance of the skin

The pancreas, liver and stomach are not the only organs that improve when we stop drinking alcohol: the skin does too (yes, the skin is also an organ!).

This is because, by consuming alcohol, we eliminate more urine and the body becomes dehydrated. So, giving up this practice, improves the hydration of our skin and therefore also its appearance.. In this way, the skin looks brighter and healthier.

7. Prevention of some types of cancer

On the other hand, experts such as Dr. Blai, as well as some studies, suggest that not drinking alcohol prevents some types of cancer, such as: mouth, breast and larynx cancer.

8. Improved cognitive processes

The benefits of giving up alcohol also affect the psyche of the person, for example through cognitive processes such as memory and attention.

It is a fact that people who drink frequently (and especially those who are addicted), end up having more difficulty in concentrating or retaining certain information (they may also appear slower and more confused). (in addition, they may seem slower when it comes to speaking or reasoning); that is, their minds are less clear.

Therefore, quitting alcohol will help you have a clearer mind, think faster, and memorize better.

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association -APA- (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Madrid: Panamericana.
• Berrios, G. (1990). Organic disorders in psychiatry. In Fuentenebro, F. and Vázquez, C. Medical psychology, psychopathology and psychiatry. Interamericana McGraw-Hill, Madrid.
• Guzmán, R.G. and Ramírez, J.A. (2006). Alcohol consumption and public health. Revista de la Facultad de Medicina, UNAM.