Hawaii Island Recovery 
While alcohol is legal and an accepted part of many pastimes or customs, that does not mean that its use comes without risk. Beyond the immediate effects of these drinks, the use and abuse of alcohol can also dictate daily life, impact mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. Noticing unhealthy effects of drinking can indicate that it may be time to consider that a person’s alcohol consumption may be transforming into alcohol use disorder, or AUD. Addiction, alcohol abuse, and AUD are difficult to address, but understanding what AUD is can empower each person or their loved one to explore effective healing and move toward a healthier life of sobriety.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?
AUD is a form of substance use disorder (SUD) focused on the use of alcohol. Those living with AUD may find it difficult to quit drinking, with alcohol intake feeling like a necessary part of the day. The disease can make it difficult to monitor alcohol use. It can lead to excessive alcohol use or using more than intended or more frequently than intended, as well as an increased tolerance to alcohol, leaving a person feeling like they need to drink more to achieve the same effects. Those living with AUD may also experience withdrawal symptoms or cravings when the effects of alcohol wear off, leading to continued physical health needs and mental health issues.
Many of those living with AUD may also be aware of the dangerous and destructive nature of the disease, but may feel compelled to reengage with alcohol despite mounting negative consequences or friction in personal relationships with family members, spouses, or loved ones. While quitting alcohol for those living with AUD is difficult, it is always possible. However, it often requires professional, educated support, detox, and care to manage symptoms, develop coping mechanisms, and explore new avenues to wellness to maintain an alcohol-free life.
What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors of Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction can affect anyone, and there is nobody “immune” to developing the disease or experiencing its destructive effects. Likewise, there is no single cause that will always lead to alcohol addiction. Rather, understanding common causes and risk factors while working with professionals can be the best way of exploring each person’s unique relationship with alcohol to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Some common causes of alcohol addiction include:
- A genetic history and predisposition to developing the disease, such as a family member or parent having lived with substance use disorder
- Mental health disorders and underlying mental health needs
- Lack of self-care outlets or strategies
- Exposure to regular alcohol use from a young age, such as witnessing drinking around young children
- Persistent workplace, academic, or interpersonal stress
- Being a victim of trauma, whether physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual
- Exposure to social environments where alcohol is celebrated, normalized, or frequently used
How Does Alcohol Addiction Affect the Body and Mind?
Excessive substance abuse and alcohol use can have lasting effects on the body and mind. In addition to the immediate effects of alcohol on a person’s cognitive functions, there can also be a lasting impact on a person’s physical and mental health. Some of the effects of alcohol addiction on the body include:
- Damage to the liver, such as liver cirrhosis
- Heart issues, from an increased risk of stroke to increased blood pressure
- Gastrointestinal issues like persistent diarrhea to stomach ulcers
Alcohol use can also make it more difficult for the body to get enough nutrients for normal processing, affecting nutrition, diet, energy levels, and even compromising a person’s immune system. However, there can be just as many lasting effects of alcohol abuse on a person’s mind as on their body. These persistent effects of alcohol addiction on the mind include:
- Compromised cognitive functions, including difficulty forming and recalling memories
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Compromised decision-making skills
- Insomnia
- Nightmares
- Mood swings
- Increased feelings of anger, or being easily agitated, irritated, or having angry outbursts
Each of these effects can affect daily life, as well as impact not just the person living with addiction but rather the whole family. However, while these symptoms of alcohol addiction on the body and mind are profound, there is no case where a person is “too addicted” to pursue positive change and sobriety.
Is Alcohol Addiction a Disease?
There are many misconceptions and stigmas surrounding words like “addiction.” Yet, it is not the result of any moral failing or indicative of any kind of character flaw. In fact, it is a recognized disease by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) that affects individuals at a chemical level, and is recognized as such in both medicine and for insurance purposes. Addiction is a disease, but one that is never too late to address.
Signs You May Be Developing Alcohol Use Disorder
Each person’s relationship with alcohol is unique. AUD can also often develop without a person being aware of the signs or increasing use of alcohol, making familiarizing yourself with potential signs of AUD paramount for yourself and for family members. Some common signs that a person may be developing AUD include:
- Increasing frequency of drinking, or making heavier drinks than before
- Thinking about drinking at inappropriate times, such as at work
- Increasing tolerance, or noticing that the same drinks don’t carry the same effects anymore
- Feeling guilty after drinking or lying about how much a person is drinking, or how frequently
- Not tending to daily responsibilities or obligations to engage in substance use, or as a result of a hangover
Noticing any of these signs can be a reason to talk to a professional at Hawaii Island Recovery or a local treatment facility about one’s relationship with alcohol. Moreover, as AUD continues to develop, a person may express more signs that alcohol use is affecting daily life.
What Are Common Signs You Have Alcohol Use Disorder?
AUD affects every part of daily life, and those living with the disease may feel overwhelmed by how ubiquitous its effects can be. Some of the common signs of AUD in daily life include:
- Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Persistent hangovers
- Missing work, school, or other responsibilities due to alcohol use
- Compromised diet and finances to engage with alcohol
- Self-isolation tendencies, especially from events where alcohol is not present
- Increased conflict between family members, friends, and loved ones
- Intense cravings, urges, or other side effects when not drinking
- Increasingly risky behaviors, such as drinking in secret, driving under the influence, or drinking in public spaces
- Continuing to engage with alcohol despite negative consequences
- Increased mental health needs, especially if using alcohol to cope with these feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and more
Noticing these symptoms, especially if a family member or loved one has inquired about one’s drinking habits, is a sign that professional treatment may be necessary to address the effects of addiction on daily life and to explore ways to embrace a life of sobriety. These can also be signs of why you should stop drinking alcohol and give your body and mind a chance to heal from its effects.
Common Challenges When You Stop Drinking Alcohol
Noticing the signs of alcohol abuse and AUD and making the decision to stop drinking alcohol takes a lot of strength. However, it is also just the start of a person’s healing journey. Many of those beginning the healing process can be met with unique challenges immediately when they stop drinking alcohol, making professional addiction treatment facilities like Hawaii Island Recovery an important resource to navigate the challenges of detox and healing from AUD.
What Are Common Challenges When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?
Working with loved ones and professionals alike when you stop drinking alcohol is paramount, especially in the immediate days of sobriety following the decision. These days of sobriety can be difficult, but necessary in each person’s path to healing. Some common challenges can include:
- Withdrawal symptoms like shaking, nausea, vomiting, and intense headaches
- Mood swings, from feelings of depression and anxiety to intense anger
- Intense urges to reengage with alcohol
- Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
- Aches and pains
Navigating withdrawal and even beginning to realize the extent of a person’s alcohol use can all be difficult to process. Many people may consider using alcohol again early in their journey, and may even slip or relapse at this time to stop difficult symptoms to stop. However, working with professionals and an educated family system can help ease these challenges when a person stops drinking alcohol.
The Benefits of Being Alcohol-Free
Living a sober life can have many benefits, from improved mental clarity and physical health to aiding in repairing relationships with family members and loved ones. However, pursuing sobriety and healing from substance use disorder and alcohol addiction is a process, and it takes time to embrace these many benefits while navigating new challenges that may arise.
30 Days Alcohol Free: Building the Foundation
Staying sober even the very next day after committing to an alcohol-free life is a major accomplishment, with each new milestone being worthy of celebration. However, by day 30, many people may begin to realize the extensive benefits of an alcohol-free life. Some of these major benefits include:
- Improved physical health
- Mental clarity
- Emotional clarity
- Better sleep quality
These are often coupled with lessening withdrawal symptoms, urges, and cravings. With increased focus, physical health, and improved sleep, those dedicating themselves to an alcohol-free life can better engage with not just new and effective coping strategies, but also new hobbies, interests, and personal goals in their personal, professional, or academic life.
60 Days No Alcohol: What Happens After 60 Days of No Alcohol?
After no alcohol for 60 days, the benefits can become even more pronounced. These include:
- Stronger immune system
- Feeling less anxious and depressed
- Improved understanding and self-awareness
Having no alcohol for 60 days can also increase self-awareness, help contextualize past alcohol use, and inform personal goals and a person’s developing sober identity, transforming their sober commitment into something that each person can be proud of and excited to continue exploring.
90 Days No Alcohol: Developing New Coping Skills and Long-Term Recovery Success
After no alcohol for 60 days, a person’s thoughts can become much clearer. However, after an entire 90 days, those overcoming alcohol use disorder can experience profound healing, both emotionally and physically, as well as in daily life and relationships. These benefits include:
- Significant brain and organ health recovery
- Improved relationships with family members, friends, and peers
- Greater sense of purpose and self-esteem
However, while reaching 90 days with no alcohol is a major accomplishment, it is also not the end of a person’s recovery journey. Living a sober life is an ongoing process, with new challenges, milestones, and goals that each person will continue to set, update, and amend for the most effective and resilient approach to daily sober life.
Celebrating Each Milestone
There is nothing easy about overcoming AUD, and each day can bring both new challenges and accomplishments in equal measure. It takes hard work to maintain a sober lifestyle. Celebrating each milestone is paramount to maintaining motivation and commitment to each person’s sober future.
Taking a moment to celebrate a milestone with a family member or loved one can not just improve motivation, but also reinforce commitment to sobriety while setting new goals without becoming stagnant in a person’s journey. This focus on the future while celebrating the present can empower those in recovery to prevent relapse while continuously redefining who they want to be in sobriety and the skills, strategies, and goals they set for themselves along the way.
Implementing an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
It is never too late to explore a life of sobriety. Whether a person is diagnosed with AUD and looking to begin their 60-day sober journey or is sobercurious about what an alcohol-free life looks like for them, there is always a way to start, with Hawaii Island Recovery ready to help each person today.
Replace Social Activities That Involve Drinking With Sober Activities
For many, alcohol can be tied to social expectations and norms. Simply replacing social activities with sober activities, those exploring sobriety can find new hobbies and interests without the pressure to engage with alcohol. These new activities can also lack the context of being used along with alcohol, creating a new beginning in a person’s sober life.
Remove Any Alcohol From Your House
Urges and cravings can happen at any time. Even boredom can be a major factor in pouring a drink. Removing all alcohol from the house, both for oneself or committing to a sober household for a family member or loved one, can prevent relapse early on and emphasize sober lifestyles and decisions.
Seek Support Like AA Meetings or Therapy Sessions
Overcoming AUD is difficult, but there are many communities and options for those overcoming the disease so they never have to do it alone. Finding AA meetings, local therapy sessions, support groups, or contacting professional residential treatment facilities with established communities like Hawaii Island Recovery can all help introduce each person to a community of supportive, like-minded people on their own journey to a life free of alcohol.
Getting Started at Hawaii Island Recovery
Hawaii Island Recovery creates a community of healing that tends to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs when quitting alcohol. Each program is built to address personal needs, with individualized treatment plans and strategies to explore each person’s best practices. These programs can also be adjusted to fit each person’s changing goals, whether realizing new challenges or setting new milestones, from their first step into detox to 30 days without alcohol, 60 days no alcohol, and beyond.
FAQs
How long does it take the body to fully detox from alcohol?
Each person’s detox journey will be unique. However, for many, the most intense withdrawal symptoms occur during the first week, with full detox programs lasting between one to two weeks.
How long does it take for your skin to clear up after quitting drinking?
Exactly how long it takes for the skin to clear up depends on the frequency and intensity of alcohol use, and how prolonged these unhealthy levels of drinking have occurred. However, many people may begin to notice positive changes in their skin from 30 to 60 days after ceasing alcohol use.
What helps with alcohol withdrawal?
Withdrawal is challenging, but some things can help. Healthy diet and nutrition, professional support from trained addictionologists and mental health professionals, a safe and sober environment, therapy, and rest all play an important role. Professional detox programs are available to help manage withdrawal and potentially administer effective medications to address specific withdrawal symptoms during this time for a successful detox and the start of the healing journey.
Overcoming alcohol addiction takes hard work, and having the right support, education, and comprehensive care is paramount to helping you not just pursue a life of sobriety but maintain a healthy alcohol-free life. At Hawaii Island Recovery, we offer comprehensive support for overcoming AUD and its effects on daily life to help you and your family create the best approach to a fulfilling life of sobriety. From detox and residential treatment to ongoing outpatient care, a community of peers, and an array of holistic healing opportunities backing an effective, evidence-based approach to treatment, we provide the resources to empower you to explore your own best path to healing. To learn more, call us today at (866) 390-5070.
