How Taking a Break from Alcohol Can Improve Your Life
Even a short term break from alcohol can result in positive benefits you can notice
As we move past the halfway mark of July, millions around the world are participating in Dry July and noticing improvements to their health and wellbeing.
While Dry July commonly refers to abstaining from alcohol for the entire month, our data shows that many Accountable users are also taking shorter term breaks this month (ranging from just a few days to longer periods).
In light of this, we wanted to highlight many of the benefits that one can experience - even when quitting alcohol for a short period of time:
1. Improved Sleep
It's no secret that alcohol consumption severely disrupts sleep, leading to poorer quality rest which can have downstream effects on other attributes of your life.
The good news is that research shows that even a short break from alcohol (from just a few days) can help the body restore normal sleep patterns, resulting in deeper and more restful sleep. You may commonly notice this as a faster sleep onset and fewer awakenings within the days following your last drink.
2. Improved Mood and Mental Clarity
Alcohol can leave you feeling foggy, anxious, or down the day after drinking. Taking a week off can clear the haze.
Research from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that reducing alcohol intake is linked to lower depressive symptoms and improved mood. Even a brief break can stabilize neurotransmitters, reducing anxiety and sharpening focus. A 2022 study found that participants in a 30-day alcohol abstinence challenge (like Dry July) reported better mental health, with noticeable improvements in clarity and emotional balance within days. Say goodbye to brain fog and hello to a brighter outlook.
3. More Energy
If you're tired of morning sluggishness or afternoon energy crashes, a week without alcohol might be the boost you need. Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant and forces your body to work harder to process it, often impairing sleep quality and leaving you drained.
Scientists noted that energy levels can improve from as little as one day after abstaining. This continues to improve with sustained abstinence - giving you all the more reason to keep going if you see an early boost to your energy.
4. Glowing Skin
Want a natural glow-up? Ditch the drinks. Alcohol is a diuretic that dehydrates your body, leaving your skin dull and inflamed. Just one week of abstinence can improve hydration and reduce inflammation, leading to a brighter, fresher complexion.
There is plenty of research which shows that alcohol can cause a wide range of skin conditions to worsen.
In short: Less Alcohol = More Glow!
5. Weight Loss (or Less Bloating)
Alcohol is packed with empty calories and can disrupt hormones that regulate hunger, often leading to increased appetite and bloating. Skipping alcohol for a week can be enough to trigger noticeable changes in water retention and digestion.
A 2022 review in the Harm Reduction Journal reports that 38% of participants in a 30-day abstinence challenge experienced weight loss, likely due to reduced calorie intake from alcohol and decreased late-night snacking.
Removing alcohol - even short-term - helps reduce inflammation, supports digestion, and may lead to mild weight loss or a flatter stomach.
Tip: The Accountable app will track your Estimated Calories Avoided. This shows you how many calories you've avoided vs your baseline drinking consumption and is a great way to stay motivated along your journey!
6. More Money in Your Pocket
Drinking, whether at a bar or at home, adds up fast. Even jusy a week without alcohol can put some serious cash back in your pocket.
Alcohol prices continue to rise and with the cost of living crisis that is impacting many socities, it is amazing how much you can actually save.
To make this easier to measure, the Accountable app will show you Estimated Savings based on how your behaviour has changed vs your initial baseline. You can also plot your savings over time to see how far you've come.
7. A Confidence Boost
Saying no to alcohol, especially in social settings, can feel like a bold move - and it pays off. Choosing sobriety, even for a week, builds a sense of control and self-trust that spills over into other areas of your life.
In the previously mentioned 2022 review in the Harm Reduction Journal, 94.1% of participants reported improved self-efficacy - the belief in their ability to control their own behavior. This is essentially a proxy showing how soberiety can lead to confidence. That confidence doesn't just apply to drinking, but to other habits too. Even if you simply take a week off, you'll walk away from the week feeling stronger and more in charge of your choices.
Ready to Experience These Benefits and Take a Break From Alcohol?
Whether you're doing Dry July or just exploring a healthier relationship with alcohol, even a small break can make a big impact. Our app, Accountable, helps you track your progress, stay motivated, and see the benefits build day by day. Download now:
