Alcohol: what happens in the body after just four weeks of abstinence

Cologne –

Non-alcoholic weeks or even several months without after-work beer or a glass of wine: Some people take a break from alcohol right on time for Lent until Easter. But does the short waiver actually bring anything?

The most important questions and answers at a glance:

Time out from alcohol – is it worth a try?

It is a good idea to avoid alcohol completely for a while and thus keep your consumption low. Basically there is no safe consumption of alcohol. Because even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of cell damage to the liver.

Read more here: It sucks! “I don’t drink alcohol – why do I always have to explain that?”

“One thing is certain: the higher the consumption, the more harmful,” explains medical doctor Georg Poppele. Michaela Goecke, head of the BZgA Addiction Prevention Unit, emphasizes: “Alcohol consumption increases the risks for more than 200 different diseases, especially cardiovascular and cancer diseases.”

Avoid beer, wine, etc. – but for how long?

“Absolute abstinence can also cause demonstrable damage to the liver, such as alcohol-related inflammation or fatty liver, within two months,” says Poppele. And two to four weeks of abstinence can help the immune system to recover.

But: “Anyone who proves their ability to abstain for a month and then drinks all the more and makes up for the waiver is not doing themselves a favor,” warns Prof. Falk Kiefer. It is better to regularly avoid alcohol on at least two days a week, advises the medical director of the Clinic for Dependent Behavior and Addiction Medicine at the Central Institute for Mental Health in Mannheim.

Read more here: Attention! Three things that destroy our liver – completely without alcohol

What noticeable effects are there?

For people who normally drink daily or more than recommended, doing without is a worthwhile experience, says Goecke: “Weight loss may be an effect.” Not only because alcoholic beverages are often high in calories, but also because alcohol-related cravings can go away. “Many people also sleep deeper and better without an evening glass of wine or beer.”

Kiefer also points out the psychological effects: a temporary abstinence from alcohol can increase awareness of one’s own consumption. “Many people underestimate the power of habit. The slow transition to risky consumption is often not recognized. ”

Read more here: Is alcohol really overcooking in food?

Avoiding alcohol in everyday life – how does it work?

“Changing his behavior is fundamentally difficult,” says Goecke. “If you have successfully waived for a while, you can reward yourself with a visit to the cinema, for example.” Tricks help you to get a grip on alcohol: When you do a little thing or distract yourself in such a situation , the desire for alcohol often passes quickly.

Alcohol is often part of the social gathering. So should you rather stay at home during an alcohol break? Social events should not be avoided in principle. “But you should clearly state your position: in the form of a friendly but determined no to alcohol,” says Goecke. “It’s not rude if you don’t drink alcohol.” There are also many alternatives to conventional drinks. (Dpa / tmn)

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