Drinking alcohol is completely socially acceptable and widely practiced in all cultures. In the United States alone, 86.4 percent of people over the age of eighteen have drank or do drink alcohol, according to the 2015 NAtional Survey on Drug Use and Health. Quitting drinking, on the other hand, is something that many people attempt to do on their own, but they have a hard time succeeding because of how prevalent alcohol is.

We always recommend that you quit drinking in a medically supervised environment. Alcohol detox is actually one of the most dangerous substance detoxes there is, and it can be worse than heroin and other serious drugs. A medical detox will ensure that you are both safe and comfortable.

If you are on the fence about quitting drinking, there are so many benefits that should make you want to put down the booze for once and for all.

What You’ll Gain from Quitting Drinking

On a grave level, alcohol can cause a number of different diseases and problems. It creates damage to many organs including the heart and especially the liver. Alcohol abuse can cause major issues in your relationships and your professional life. Also, you can get in trouble with the law for drunk driving and other things that you may not necessarily do when sober. The bottom line is that if you are addicted to alcohol, it is essential to get help before it is too late.

Alcohol can act as a social lubricant to help you relax at the end of a stressful day or feel more at ease at a big party. But those are just about the only benefits. Quitting drinking brings along with it many positive changes, and here are some of the biggest ones.

1. You’ll immediately lose weight. Alcohol contains calories, and since there are no nutrients in alcohol, you are ingesting what is known as empty calories. Considering that one bottle of beer has anywhere between 100-200 calories, you’ll be saving yourself a ton by putting down the drink. You won’t even have to work out more or change your diet and you’ll start to notice pounds slipping away.
2. You’ll feel better. Let’s be honest, alcohol makes you feel good for the few hours you are under the influence, but after that everything is a mess. Depending on how much you drank, you may have a headache, feel nauseous or even vomit, have an upset stomach, and feel sluggish. The easiest thing to do to prevent feeling that way is not drink. It is that simple. After a few days and weeks you’ll notice your overall energy level will skyrocket.
3. Your mind will be clear. Forget all those morning meetings that you sit through with your mind in a complete fog. Alcohol completely scrambles your brain and makes you unable to make good decisions and think on your feet. As long as you drink, you’ll remain sluggish and tired, and your performance at work or school will reflect that. Quit drinking and your quick wit and smarts will come back fast.
4. Sleep will improve. You may “pass out drunk”, but it isn’t a quality sleep. Alcohol-induced sleeping is a light sleep that is restless, and you will usually wake up feeling like you didn’t get any rest. Once you quit, you’ll be able to get onto a better schedule and see your sleeping patterns improve. Also, you’ll wake up feeling much more refreshed.
5. You’ll save money. The cost of alcohol can add up fast. If you are drinking a bottle of wine a day, on the low end that equals $10. Per week, that is $70. Per month, $310. Per year, $3,720. And if you drink more, the cost is even higher. Taking alcohol out of your daily routine will let you save up for vacation, a new car, and other important things that can positively impact your life.

When you look at the benefits, quitting drinking seems like a no-brainer. If you think that you are addicted to alcohol, a treatment center can help you comfortably detox and put you on the right path to a sober and beautiful future.