“Everything in moderation” is a pretty good rule to live by, especially where alcohol is concerned. The obvious effects of alcohol on the body are high blood pressure (hypertension), which increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, liver damage, and increased risk of cancers.
Another not-so-noticeable effect of a drinking problem is that sipping too many Margaritas can also cause you to gain a bunch of excess pounds. There are roughly 200 calories in a pint of beer and about 230 calories in 100 grams of vodka.
When a heavy drinker gives up on alcohol abuse, the physical metamorphosis can be staggering. Take a look at these before and after pictures of individuals in alcohol recovery to see what we mean.
Some of the people in the photographs are barely recognizable compared to their former selves, and while some complemented the alcohol rehab process with exercise, the benefits of quitting drinking can't be clearer by looking at these pictures.
How Does Your Body Change in One Year Sober?
A year of sobriety can bring about positive changes in the body. If you’ve ever seen photos of alcoholics before and after quitting the vice, you’ll see a clear glow-up in their faces (and bodies). Often, they look fitter, healthier, and, most importantly, happier. However, these benefits come with their own set of problems. Stick around to learn more about the struggles of withdrawal and the eventual rewards.
This post may include affiliate links.
7 Months Sober
1 Year Sober
Thanks for sharing this. By the way, I'm coming up on five years sober (11/29/16). -Shane (Silverladder) fouryearss...b5e167.jpg 
8.5 Months Sober
6 Months Sober
1.5 Years Sober
1.5 Years Sober
I love the fact there is someone's hand in the first pict, like suportting hi
300 Days Sober
1 Year Sober
1 Year Sober
And that's just the outside. Imagine what it did to their brain ad liver.
5 Years Sober
First Comes the Hard Part…
We all love a glow-up story, especially when it involves fighting inner demons. In this post, the demon at hand is alcohol, a challenge many people face. And the hardest part of fighting them? The after-effects of quitting. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can vary from person to person. The National Library of Medicine (NIH) has published a study describing some of the more common ones.
- Irritability
- Tremors
- Anxiety
In rare cases, more severe symptoms appear. In these situations, a person can experience:
- Delirium tremors (DT) (can last 3 to 4 days)
- Hallucinosis (can last 1 to 2 days)
- Seizures (can last 1 to 2 days)
In all cases, the first 72 hours will be the hardest. As the body rids itself of alcohol, an increasing number of withdrawal symptoms will manifest. However, if a person can endure this initial period, the benefits will be visible quite quickly.
7 Years Sober
99 Days Sober
1 Year Sober
1 Year Sober
6 Months Sober
156 Days Sober
500 Days Sober
3y 4m 17d Sober Together
Thank you! It literally saved his life and allowed both of us to have a life worth living.
95 Days Sober
1 Year Sober
…Better Health Comes Second.
After a year of abstinence, the developed symptoms of alcoholism before and after quitting get replaced by healthy benefits. Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, also known as the Center for Alcohol & Drug Studies, discussed some benefits of long-term sobriety.
- Improved skin. A sober face often appears more youthful, bright, and glowy.
- Mental clarity. Like other drugs, alcohol plays with the chemicals within your body. When you quit drinking, the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin normalize, leading to improved cognitive function, emotional stability, and overall mental well-being.
- Weight change. The “Beer belly” phenomenon is real. Thank the high-calorie content in alcoholic beverages. By cutting out alcohol, you can significantly reduce your calorie intake.
- Better sleep. Like nicotine, alcohol can induce insomnia.
While we’ve listed only four, there are many more benefits to enjoy in sobriety. And judging from the faces of now-sober people, it’s worth the price.
4 Years Sober
1 Year Sober
77 Days Sober
7 Months Sober
1 Year Sober
1 Year Sober
Early Intervention Can Help
Early intervention can make all the difference. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, early prevention seeks to inform individuals about the harm, symptoms of withdrawal and strategies for reducing alcohol use. As long as the person knows there is still hope for recovery, an intervention will usually lead to positive outcomes.
Since facing a problem head-on can be daunting, that extra push or support can go a long way. There are support groups that try to help individuals drop the vice through group sessions and therapy. While we might know the more famous Alcoholics Anonymous, there are more alcohol addiction support groups a person can choose from.
120 Days Without A Drink
5 Months Sober
Look really young .. all you need is a smile on that healty new face :0)
5 Months Sober.
What A Difference 5+ Years Of Sobriety Makes! Sober Date: January 16, 2011. #recoveryrocks #iamtheevidence #gratitude
2 Years.
My father FINALLY became sober. I will always wish he had done it when I was a young girl.
151 Days Sober
Good for you! On the left you are in a hospital bed. On the right you are fit and healthy. You should be very proud!! You rock, keep it up.
2 Years
19 Months Sober
17 Months Sober
1,368 Days Sober
15 Months Sober
9 Years Sober
1,5 Years Sober.
I'm thinking the photo on the left is the after photo, and the one on the right is the before photo! Just possibly...
13 Months Sober .. Not Only Did I Stop Alcohol And All Non Aa Substance I Also Stopped Drinking Soda.
You're so happy and making so many things happen! So stoked for you girl!
Before And ~6 Monthsish
8 Months Sober
Note: this post originally had 130 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
okay how about renaming this as "What happens when you reduce your caloric intake and/or get more exercise". i know plenty of skinny drunks.
Guys, WHY on earth are you focusing on their weight??? It is so not about about that. It is about their health. look at their skin, eyes, their much healthier look. In all of these before and after pictures all I see are happier, healthier people, who have more life energy and look actually like they enjoy life. My dad is VERY skinny drunk... only one week of not drinking makes a HUGE difference. He gains weight, he looks much younger, his eyes radiate happiness, his mind is sharper. He simply looks human again. So get over your petty fat-non fat views, because weight is not the point here whatsoever.
Looks like the men learn to shave after getting sober and they all of them lose weight. The photo quality also seems to get a lot better :p
This guy is my friend and I've personally watched the miracle of sobriety transform him for the better, both spiritually and physically.
Load More Replies...
okay how about renaming this as "What happens when you reduce your caloric intake and/or get more exercise". i know plenty of skinny drunks.
Guys, WHY on earth are you focusing on their weight??? It is so not about about that. It is about their health. look at their skin, eyes, their much healthier look. In all of these before and after pictures all I see are happier, healthier people, who have more life energy and look actually like they enjoy life. My dad is VERY skinny drunk... only one week of not drinking makes a HUGE difference. He gains weight, he looks much younger, his eyes radiate happiness, his mind is sharper. He simply looks human again. So get over your petty fat-non fat views, because weight is not the point here whatsoever.
Looks like the men learn to shave after getting sober and they all of them lose weight. The photo quality also seems to get a lot better :p
This guy is my friend and I've personally watched the miracle of sobriety transform him for the better, both spiritually and physically.
Load More Replies...
