Healing your Body

In recovery, we talk a lot about healing your past trauma, healing your nervous system, healing your brain, healing relationships that are important to you, and healing your emotional capacity. And these are all very important things to heal.

But let's talk about the part of you that everyone can easily recognize your healing in - your body! This can be a really exciting thing to learn about and a great addition to keeping you motivated in your healing journey.

Let's use alcohol as an example, as it's commonly used with many other substances. We'll take it from week one, assuming there might be some sober curious folks reading this.

*Before we begin, it is important to mention that if you are a very routine drinker, it can be dangerous to quit cold turkey. People's bodies become dependent on alcohol, and quitting without following a treatment plan with a medical professional can cause death. If you are experiencing seizures, body tremors, hallucinations or other psychological symptoms, please contact your local emergency number immediately.*

End of Week one With no Alcohol

Improvements to the following body parts:

Remember, these benefits are dependent on how heavily you were drinking prior to deciding to stop. I will also include potential withdrawal symptoms. This is also all assuming you are maintaining a healthy diet, sleep, and exercise routine.

Brain: Reduced risk of seizures, improved brain function, better sleep

Heart: Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, reduced risk of high blood pressure/cholesterol

Liver: Reductions in liver fat, inflammation, and scarring

Sexual Function: Hormones begin to balance, leading to increased libido

Energy Levels: With increased sleep quality, mood stabilization, and not having to constantly recover from drinking, energy levels will rise

Withdrawal Symptoms:

Potential fever, mood swings, lethargy, sweating, headaches, anxiety, fatigue.

End of Week two With no Alcohol

Face/Skin: hydration is balancing out, puffiness diminishing on face and skin becoming (and looking) healthier

Brain: Improved concentration, sleep patterns normalizing, brain beginning to take steps towards healing

Heart: Continues healing from week one

Liver: Begins processing carbohydrates more effectively which can lower blood sugar,

Sexual Function: Improved sleep, continued mood stabilization, increased energy, increasingly balanced hormones, all can lead to continued increase in libido

Other: Potential weight loss, increase in financial savings, reduction of sugar cravings

Withdrawal Symptoms:

If you weren't a heavy user when you began detoxing, your withdrawal symptoms could be coming to a close. If you were a heavy user, you may experience Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS - see link at bottom of page) for months to years.

End of Week 3 With no Alcohol

Brain: Improved moods, decreased anxiety, decreased brain-fog, improving cognitive function, better concentration, better memory

Eyes: Potential for better vision at this stage due to detoxification of liver and kidneys

Skin: Skin should be clearing up at this point as liver heals

Heart: Continues healing from week two

Stomach: Reduction in digestive issues from stomach acid regulating, reduced heartburn

Kidney: Kidney health improving at this point

From here, things continue to improve for your body.

• weight loss

• clearing skin

• feeling overall more well rested, sleeping better

• mood stabilizing and anxiety decreased

• better relationships with friends/family

• decreased risks of cancers, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol

• heart health is significantly improved

• sexual function is significantly improved and libido is higher

• the liver continues to heal - there is no one-size-fits all answer for "when will my liver be completely healed". It will depend on age, sex, weight, and how much a person was drinking prior to stopping. But your liver will certainly be doing a whole lot better at this point than it was when you were drinking! Same with your kidneys.

• the brain is also continuing to heal. This will take some time. When there is heavy drinking happening, the brain decreases in volume. This is in addition to many other side effects going on psychologically. After a significant break from alcohol, 7 months - 2 years, the brain should regain the volume it lost and largely repair itself.

Moral of the story, you're going to feel better. You're going to look better. You're going to do your body a huge favour. And if you can do this while also working on the psychological aspect of healing, you will be happier, too.

If you are struggling with alcohol and searching for community, I have also attached a link to Alcoholics Anonymous.

PAWS Information

Alcoholics Anonymous Near You

Be proud and excited about your healing, both inside and out.