Alcohol takes a toll on the body and the brain in many ways. Once you finally quit drinking, the body has a chance to heal and bounces back in some incredible ways.
- You save your liver from any more damage: Alcohol does a number on many areas of the brain on body, perhaps none more damaged than the liver. The liver is responsible for filtering the harmful toxins that come through the internal organ system through alcohol consumption. Equipped to handle moderate amounts of alcohol, high quantities of alcohol are too much for the liver to process. Liver cells start to die and the organ slowly shuts down, which can lead to liver failure or cancer. Ongoing alcohol abuse will damage the liver. If you’re consuming other substances like over the counter or prescription medications, you could be doing your liver extra damage while also putting yourself at risk for a potential overdose death.
- You gain more clarity in your complexion: Alcohol abuse ages you. People who have been abusing alcohol chronically often look 10-20 years older than they should. New research has revealed that is because a specific part of our genetic code called a telomere which is affected by alcohol abuse ages faster, which is reflected in our skin and appearance. After quitting drinking, many find their complexion clears up, clarity returns to their face as does healthy pigmentation and elasticity.
- You get more hydrated: You know the feeling. You wake up in the middle of the night after passing out or blacking out from drinking feeling like you’ve been stranded in the desert. You are desperate with thirst and crawl to find the nearest source of thirst quenching. Alcohol is dehydrating, which takes a toll on your skin, complexion, and your kidneys. Once you take alcohol out of the equation and start consuming water- ideally half your body weight in fluid ounces of water- your body is refreshed and renewed. Regular hydration with water keeps everything in your body flowing.
- You save your brain: People tend to think that “wet brain” is a made up syndrome meant to scare people out of drinking. Wet brain is a real condition that any alcoholic runs the risk of developing. Your brain is sensitive tissue that does not handle large quantities of alcohol well. It is true, alcohol kills your brain cells. Suffice to say that once you stop drinking, you start saving your brain cells and you save your brain from severe permanent damage. Even the most moderate of alcoholics who still abuse alcohol realize the damage they’ve done to their brain in time when they have difficulty remembering, realize cognitive impairments stretch into recovery, or develop a speech impairment.
Recovery is more than physical. You regain your mental and spiritual health as well. Lakehouse Recovery Center wants to show you how to have fun again without drugs and alcohol while helping you heal mind, body, and spirit. For information on our residential detox and treatment programs, call us today: 877.762.3707