Quitting Alcohol Timeline: What To Expect When You Stop Drinking (2025)

Are you thinking about quitting alcohol? Re-evaluating your relationship with drinking?

Or maybe you’re wrestling with some big realities, and the truth is, you have to stop.

No matter your reason, quitting alcohol is a daunting task – one you can conquer with the right knowledge and support.

The first step has led you here to understand what you can expect and how long it will take to get alcohol out of your system, past the cravings, and into a better life.

So let’s talk about it!

But first, we’ll start with the less glamorous side of quitting – alcohol withdrawal.

Why do we experience alcohol withdrawal?

When alcohol is in your body, it blocks specific signals in the brain that are supposed to make you feel stressed or anxious.

It is a central nervous system depressant that increases the production of GABA (the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of calm and euphoria) while decreasing the production of glutamate (the excitability neurotransmitter).

Our brains don’t like this artificial imbalance and will try to overcompensate by decreasing the amount of GABA and increasing the production of glutamate.

Alcohol withdrawal happens when the alcohol leaves your body so quickly that your brain hasn’t had time to adjust.

It’s why you feel extra jumpy and anxious after a night of heavy drinking (i.e., hangxiety).

Alcohol withdrawal causes alcohol cravings, sweating, shaking, nausea, headache, irritability, and insomnia.

Symptoms range from mild to life-threatening.

It’s important to know the difference between mild alcohol withdrawal and severe alcohol withdrawal.

Risk Factors for Severe Alcohol Withdrawal

Research has identified the main risk factors for severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome as:

• Chronic, heavy drinking
• A history of generalized seizures
• A history of delirium tremens

Mild to moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• Feeling anxious or nervous
• Irritability
• Depression
• Feeling exhausted or tired
• Inability to think clearly
• Nightmares
• Dilated pupils
• Trouble sleeping
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Appetite loss
• Tremors/Shakiness

Symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal will also include:

• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Seizures
• Fever
• High blood pressure
• Excessive sweating
• Altered consciousness and hallucinations
• Extreme confusion

It’s important to note that delirium tremens is extremely dangerous and can be fatal if left untreated. Approximately 3% to 5% of heavy drinkers experience DTs when withdrawing.

If you experience any severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal usually go away after a few days. More severe withdrawal symptoms generally resolve within a week.

If you’re a heavy drinker or someone with a history of alcohol dependence, always consult with a medical professional before quitting. The effects of alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. You may require a medically supervised detox.

Quitting Alcohol Timeline: Alcohol Withdrawals in the First 72 Hours

The following is a breakdown of the typical alcohol withdrawal timeline. We’ll touch on the symptoms associated with the initial stages of alcohol withdrawal before diving into the more extended timeline of quitting alcohol.

• 5-10 hours: Alcohol withdrawal symptoms start. These include, but are not limited to, anxiety, shakiness, increased or decreased blood pressure, irritability, rapid pulse, and vomiting. These symptoms typically peak between 24-48 hours.

• 12-24 hours: Alcohol withdrawal-related headaches and nausea set in (i.e., the hangover). Some people may experience “the shakes” and extreme anxiety (also known as ‘hangxiety’). You may experience low mood, increased cravings, low energy, and sleep disturbances.

• 12-72 hours: This is the danger zone for people who are at high risk of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. During this period, severe symptoms like increased heart rate, blood pressure, and seizures can occur. If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately.

• 48 hours: Most people will start to feel better. However, heavy drinkers are still at risk within the first 72 hours of quitting drinking. They may start experiencing Delirium Tremens (DTs). This is a medical emergency, as DTs can lead to stroke or death.This is also why heavy drinkers and people who struggle with alcohol use disorder (AUD) should consult a doctor before quitting drinking. They may require a supervised medical detox.

• 96 hours: Life-threatening symptoms have passed at this point.

Again, if you or a loved one is experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, dial 911.

Here’s a video explainer on the immediate quitting alcohol timeline:

What does alcohol withdrawal feel like?

It’s different for everyone. Mild to moderate symptoms range from the worst, crankiest hangover of your life, to shakiness, raging anxiety, and an overall feeling of “ick.”

When I quit drinking, I experienced a lot of anxiety and depression. Now granted, I was also pregnant, so there were other hormonal fluctuations at play, but I mostly just wanted to feel like myself again – whatever that meant.

There are other people who feel physically sick and others who have mild physical symptoms but struggle mightily with psychological effects like cravings and thinking about drinking constantly.

Some people don’t experience any of that for the first week or two and jump straight to the pink cloud, before getting hit with cravings.

Your experience will depend largely on any number of factors including:

• Age
• Weight
• Gender
• Consumption levels
• Drinking history
• Genetics
• Pre-existing mental health conditions
• The severity of alcohol abuse
• Family history of alcoholism
• Combined drug use
• History of severe withdrawals from previous attempts to quit

With that caveat in mind, let’s examine an approximate breakdown of what happens at longer-term milestones along the quitting alcohol timeline.

If you’re interested in exploring the immediate effects of quitting alcohol on your body, check out this video:

You might also want to read:

• What is PAWS? Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
• 7 Strategies for Tackling Tough Alcohol Cravings

What happens when you quit drinking alcohol for seven days?

After seven days of not drinking alcohol, most withdrawal symptoms should be gone for moderate drinkers. For those who do not drink heavily, this period often brings noticeable improvements.

Before we dive into those improvements, it is worth noting what we mean by heavy drinking. According to the NIH, heavy drinking is considered:

• 5 or more drinks on any day or 15 or more drinks per week for men
• 4 or more drinks on any day or 8 or more drinks per week for women.

If you meet the criteria for heavy drinking for five or more days per month, you are considered a heavy drinker. If you fall into this category, don’t be alarmed if you don’t see the following benefits within the first week. Your recovery will take a bit longer.

Physical Improvements:

• Clearer, Brighter Skin: Alcohol dehydrates the skin, so abstaining can lead to a healthier complexion.
• Increased Energy: You may feel more energetic throughout the day and less drowsy after meals.
• Improved Focus: Better concentration and productivity at work can result from reduced alcohol intake.

Emotional and Social Benefits:

• Better Relationships: When you feel less stressed and irritable, your relationships with others improve.

Temporary Sugar Cravings: When you stop drinking alcohol, your body may experience a sugar crash. Alcohol can spike your blood sugar levels, so your body might crave sugar as a quick energy source.

Even with a healthy diet of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables, you might still crave candy and other sugary treats. These cravings are temporary and should dissipate within a few weeks.

One Week Sober for Heavy Drinkers

If you fall into the category of heavy drinker (as so many of us do), then your first week may go a bit differently.

To be blunt, the first week is tough.

The initial week of sobriety for heavy drinkers usually involves significant physical and emotional symptoms as the body adjusts to the absence of alcohol.

First and foremost, you should consult with a doctor. Have a frank conversation about how much you drink, and let them advise you on the need for a medically supervised detox. You would be surprised how many people fall into this category but risk it anyway and land themselves in the ER.

Heavy drinkers may experience withdrawal symptoms more intensely than moderate drinkers. Whereas some people emerge from the first week of sobriety refreshed and on the mend, others come crawling out feeling they barely survived.

It is okay if you fall into the latter camp.

The first week for heavy drinkers can be filled with a lot of uncomfortable physical symptoms and a ton of psychological symptoms, too.

There’s the fear of “never drinking again,” the intensity of cravings, agitation, sleeplessness, and a myriad of other hair-raising symptoms that make the first week feel a year.

But once you’re through it, you never have to go through it again. It is part of the process. It’s hard. But none of it lasts forever.

What happens when you quit drinking alcohol for one month?

After thirty days of sobriety, your energy levels will continue to increase.

You’ll also notice that you’re sleeping better at night (and waking up more easily in the morning ), and you’ll find yourself more alert and ready for the day.

You will experience reduced anxiety and stress, improved digestion, less bloating, potential weight loss, and an improved ability to handle life’s issues.

For many people, this is the beginning of improved quality of life.

People who don’t suffer from alcohol use disorder may find that quitting alcohol for thirty days improves their relationship with alcohol.

For people with a history of chronic alcohol use, it may take a little longer. There is no one-size-fits-all timeline to quitting alcohol, unfortunately.

Even if the psychological benefits are not as apparent, additional health benefits of one month sober include:

• Restored liver function
• Reduction in liver fat
• Improved skin
• Recovery of cerebral gray matter volume
• Decrease in alcohol-related inflammation

So even if you are still struggling with cravings and the psychological battles of quitting alcohol, rest assured you are experiencing the physical health benefits.

If you’re quitting alcohol for health and fitness-related reasons, this video has additional benefits you’ll want to hear:

What happens when you quit drinking alcohol for one year?

By one year of sobriety, many alcoholics and problem drinkers will have stopped drinking entirely and won’t even think about having a drink.

You’ll notice many emotional and physical health benefits like:

• Decreased risk for cardiovascular disease
• Decreased risk of alcohol-related cancers
• Improved cognitive function
• Continued improvement in liver function
• Deeper, more restful sleep
• Improved immune function
• Decreased levels of anxiety and depression
• Better emotional regulation
• Increased emotional resilience
• More meaningful personal connections

If all of that sounds good to you, let’s dive deeper into the long-term benefits of quitting alcohol.

After one year of sobriety, many alcoholics and problem drinkers will have significantly reduced their cravings and thoughts about alcohol. During this period, you’ll likely experience numerous emotional and physical health benefits, including:

Physical Health Benefits:

• Decreased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: Abstaining from alcohol reduces the risk of heart disease and hypertension.
• Lower Risk of Alcohol-Related Cancers: The risk of developing cancers such as liver, mouth, throat, and breast cancer decreases.
• Improved Cognitive Function: Enhanced memory, concentration, and overall brain function.
• Continued Improvement in Liver Function: The liver continues to heal, reducing the risk of cirrhosis and liver disease.
• Deeper, More Restful Sleep: Improved sleep patterns and quality, leading to better overall health.
• Improved Immune Function: A stronger immune system helps in fighting off illnesses and infections.

Emotional and Mental Health Benefits:

• Decreased Levels of Anxiety and Depression: Most people experience improved mental health and mood stability.
• Better Emotional Regulation: Enhanced ability to manage emotions and stress.
• Increased Emotional Resilience: Greater ability to cope with life’s challenges.
• More Meaningful Personal Connections: Stronger, healthier relationships with friends and family due to better communication and emotional availability.

If all of that sounds good to you, let’s dive deeper into the long-term benefits of quitting alcohol.

And because you’ve come this far and we all need good sobriety inspo, check out this final video from a couple who quit alcohol for a year:

How long does it take for alcohol to stop affecting your brain?

The length of time it takes for the brain to heal back to normal after quitting alcohol is a process that varies from person to person.

The healing process will continue long into sobriety.

People who do not abuse alcohol regularly might notice positive cognitive changes soon after quitting drinking.

For heavy drinkers, the benefits may take a bit longer.

Drinking heavily can lead to brain damage, even without developing an alcohol use disorder.

The body is immediately affected when someone begins drinking heavily because it prompts changes in neurochemistry that impact cognition.

Heavy drinkers may experience confusion and memory problems when they quit. These can take up to two weeks to dissipate.

Different parts of the brain heal at different rates, so depending on your previous drinking habits and the amount of damage done, the recovery process could take some time.

Start Building Your Sobriety Toolbox.

Journaling is a powerful tool to uncover your reasons for drinking, understand old patterns, and work through how to change them.

get started

What happens to the liver after quitting drinking?

As soon as you quit drinking, your liver will start to repair itself from alcohol-related damage.

In most cases, after a year of sobriety, non-heavy drinkers can expect their liver enzymes to return to normal levels.

Additionally, giving your liver a break from alcohol allows it to take on important tasks like breaking down toxins, and metabolizing fats and excess hormones.

What happens to the stomach after quitting drinking?

Alcohol is very harsh on the stomach, so once you quit, you’ll see improvements in your acid reflux and stomachaches.

Studies have shown that after three-weeks of abstinence from alcohol, patients saw a complete recovery of gut barrier function in subjects who suffered from alcohol addiction and leaky gut.

That’s promising news!

You may have problems with digestion for up to a year after quitting drinking, but this will improve over time.

Give your digestive system several weeks to start feeling better.

Health risks that improve after one year of not drinking alcohol include:

• Heart disease risk: According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, heart disease is reduced by 50% in those who stop consuming alcohol. This number is even more impressive for women as their risk for heart disease is cut in half.
• Cancer risk: The NIAAA also states that even one year of sober living reduces cancer risk by 30%. Many forms of cancer are linked to alcohol consumption, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and rectum.
• Type 2 Diabetes risk: According to a study published in the Lancet, those who drink heavily regularly double their risk for Diabetes.
• Alzheimers: Studies show that people who started drinking before age 25 or binge drink frequently are at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s.

At the one-year mark, most of the mental and physical dependency on alcohol has disappeared.

You will experience improved sleep, better digestion, noticeable weight loss (assuming you do not replace alcohol with terrible food), and a healthier-looking complexion.

Looking Ahead: Living Life Without Alcohol

It can be difficult to quit alcohol, but the benefits make it worth the struggle.

The process takes time, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.

Your desire for a drink might take a while to disappear. But with determination and help, whether through recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other sobriety support systems, you can beat alcoholism and live a life you love.

If you’re just starting out, I encourage you to check out the Sobriety Roadmap and Resource Center. It has articles on every topic imaginable related to quitting drinking and is continuously updated.

I also encourage you to reach out to connect with us on Facebook, and don’t be afraid to get help by speaking to a counselor or therapist. There are people out there who have been where you are and want to help.

If you’re unsure about your drinking, take the AUDIT quiz below to see where you land!

If you’re struggling right now, feel stuck, or don’t know what to do next, talk therapy can help. Getting started with BetterHelp is easy!

• Answer a few questions.
• Get matched with a licensed therapist.
• Schedule your sessions.

Get 10% off your first month with code SOBERISH.

Soberish is proudly sponsored by BetterHelp.

Take the Assessment

Take the AUDIT

Related Articles: