I quit drinking alcohol 16 months ago — there’s 1 thing nobody tells you

At the end of August 2024, I decided to stop drinking alcohol altogether. I was experiencing some health issues, which were only being exacerbated by alcohol, so I gave it a rest. A few weeks later, and half a stone lighter, I was told I had ulcerative colitis, a long-term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine and rectum.

Some of my symptoms included crippling stomach cramps, fatigue, weight loss and bloody diarrhoea, but I noticed my symptoms would get worse when I drank alcohol, particularly the stomach cramps. Looking back, I realised that alcohol was one of the potential causes of flare-ups in my condition, so I decided not to drink again until I was sure my body could cope with it.

It’s been just under 16 months since my last drink and I can honestly say the majority of the time I don’t miss it. There have been a couple of occasions where I fancied a glass of bubbles (at Christmas) or a glass of red wine (sat in front of a fire in a cosy cabin) but most of the time I don’t notice not drinking alcohol.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge anyone who decides to drink alcohol. When consumed responsibly, it can be a truly enjoyable experience and make you feel more relaxed and sociable.

However, since I began my sobriety journey, I’ve noticed three major changes to my body that I can’t ignore.

1. Less anxiety

I am a highly anxious person. I’m the kind of person who rehearses conversations before I have them so I don’t say the wrong thing. I’ve suffered with anxiety for years but had no idea there was a link between my alcohol consumption and anxiety.

After nights out with friends or family, when I’d had a few drinks I used to wake up filled with anxiety, worried I’d embarrassed myself. Now that I don’t drink, I wake up most days without that anxiety ‘hangover’.

While alcohol would make me feel more relaxed once I’d had a few drinks, the effects would eventually wear off, leaving me feeling more anxious than I was to begin with.

According to Drinkaware, alcohol and anxiety often feed into each other in what they describe as a “vicious cycle.” Alcohol acts as a depressant, slowing your brain’s processes and the central nervous system, which can initially make you feel more relaxed and uninhibited.

But as these effects wear off, anxiety often returns — sometimes even stronger — prompting some people to drink again in an attempt to manage those feelings. The site added: “Over time, if you regularly drink heavily the central nervous system gets used to the suppressing effect of the alcohol, which means your brain is affected if the alcohol level suddenly drops. You can go straight into ‘fight or flight’ mode as the alcohol leaves your system – the same reaction as an anxiety disorder.”

2. Better skin

I’ve noticed a real improvement in my skin since I stopped drinking alcohol. While I still get the occasional breakout and have dry skin — especially in winter — my complexion overall looks healthier and more vibrant.

I do have a strict skincare routine that includes hyaluronic acid, PDRN, niacinamide, eye serums, eye creams and moisturisers, but I no longer have dull skin or a puffy face. According to Drinkaware, when you drink alcohol your skin loses fluid and nutrients because alcohol is a diuretic. “This can make your skin look wrinkled, dull and grey, or bloated and puffy,” the website reads. When your skin is dehydrated, you can also be more prone to eczema.

Dr Anatalia Moore of Dr Anatalia Aesthetics said alcohol triggers your body to remove water at a faster rate, which is why I’d often find myself taking more trips to the toilet when I drank alcohol. This means you are likely to be dehydrated the next day, which can have a huge impact on your skin.

She said on her website: “Dehydrated skin looks lacklustre with lines and wrinkles appearing worsened, tone looking sallow and dull, and under eyes can look more sunken. Even more than this is the reality that dehydrated skin is more unstable and prone to inflammation.

“In reaction to this dryness, your skin produces more oils, which in part contribute to acne flares in those who are prone. It is also common knowledge that alcohol is converted to sugar in our bodies. This triggers hormone releases, which too can promote oil production in the skin.”

3. Better sleep

I really used to struggle getting to sleep when I drank alcohol. I found alcohol lulled me into a false sense of security when it comes to sleep; I would fall asleep almost instantly, but wake up feeling terrible. This is because alcohol reduces REM sleep, which is the stage linked to memory and emotional processing, which can make you feel tired and reduce your ability to focus the next day, according to the Sleep Foundation.

I no longer experience issues with sleep, largely thanks to not drinking alcohol. Because my health can leave me feeling extremely exhausted, cutting out alcohol has helped me prioritise truly restful sleep every night.

What no one prepares you for

There is one aspect of not drinking that no one prepares you for: it’s strangely addictive. Being sober is more fulfilling than I was expecting. While my medical conditions and health are a massive motivator to not drink, I’ve recently discovered an even bigger motivation: myself. I’m quite proud of myself for not drinking alcohol, and the longer I don’t drink, the more I don’t want to. I’m determined to stay sober for as long as it feels right for me but with each new milestone I’ve realised I have little to no desire to ever drink again.