Positive Effects of Quitting Alcohol

Drinkers know there are benefits to quitting alcohol, but many don't realize just how much of a lifestyle change they're in for when they put down the bottle. For those absorbed in an alcohol-heavy lifestyle, quitting drink can lead to a whole new lease of life, positively affecting drinkers both physically and mentally, as well as benefiting their relationships within society as a whole.

Improve Personal Relationships

• Drinkers can experience strained relationships with their friends and family. Often, loved ones become frustrated or even upset with the lifestyle and behavior of the drinker, and individuals who develop alcohol addictions may lose contact with friends and family as a result of drink. Individuals who give up drinking are typically able to make amends with loved ones and repair deteriorated relationships, since very often alcohol is at the heart of the relationship problem.

Avoid Dangerous Situations

• Heavy drinkers are prone to getting into potentially dangerous situations, which might involve violence or unprotected sex, for instance, which they would usually avoid if sober. Giving up the drink empowers them to see the danger of these situations and avoid contact with the people or places which provoke this dangerous behavior. A positive effect of quitting alcohol is a move away from the types of situations which drinkers later regret.

More Spare Time

• Alcohol is all-consuming when it becomes a major part of drinkers' lives; they may spend much of their time socializing with other drinkers or involved with alcohol-oriented social situations, such as nights at a bar. Those who give up drink have the energy and time for new activities. They might take up a new hobby, or perhaps find a group of friends with similar interests. This in turn grants ex-drinkers a renewed sense of purpose in life.

Save Money

• Alcohol, whether bought in a liquor store or in a bar, is expensive, especially when consumed on a regular basis. The money spent on alcohol means less funds are available for other, important, elements of a pesron's life, such as bills and food. In extreme cases, this situation can drive people into poverty, especially since excessive consumption of alcohol often causes them to spend on drugs or cigarettes, too, as the Alcohol Issues website notes. Quitting alcohol frees up funds and lessens the likelihood of plunging into poverty.

Lessens Health Risks

• Individuals who quit alcohol are less likely to suffer ill health brought about by drink. Alcohol can be responsible for injuries, such as automobile accidents and falls, suffered while the individual is drunk. Drink has also been linked to liver disease and multiple types of cancer, such as mouth and throat cancer, alongside high blood pressure. Rejecting alcohol reduces the likelihood of developing these health issues.