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“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.

#1

7 Months Sober

Before and after comparison of a man showing changes after stopping drinking.

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#2

1 Year Sober

Man showing before-and-after transformation after quitting drinking, appearing healthier and more vibrant in the after photo.

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#3

8.5 Months Sober

Before-and-after photos of a woman showing transformation after stopping drinking.

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#4

6 Months Sober

Before-and-after of a man: on a hospital bed and later outside in cycling gear after quitting drinking.

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#5

1.5 Years Sober

Man's transformation after quitting drinking, showing before-and-after photos.

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#6

1.5 Years Sober

Before and after images showing changes from stopping drinking.

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#7

300 Days Sober

Before-and-after photos of a man who stopped drinking, wearing the same blue t-shirt, showcasing weight loss and improved appearance.

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#8

1 Year Sober

Before-and-after photo showing effects of stopping drinking; person holds wine in one image, water in the other.

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#9

1 Year Sober

Before-and-after photo showing changes when you stop drinking, featuring a woman in a pink dress.

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#10

5 Years Sober

Before-and-after photos showing changes in appearance after stopping drinking.

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 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.

#11

7 Years Sober

Before-and-after image showing changes when you stop drinking; happier expression and healthier appearance.

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#12

99 Days Sober

Before and after stopping drinking, showing a woman holding a blue cup on the left and looking healthier on the right.

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#13

1 Year Sober

Man's physical transformation after quitting drinking, visible in before-and-after photos.

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#14

1 Year Sober

Before-and-after comparison of a person showing changes after quitting drinking.

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#15

6 Months Sober

Before-and-after images of a man who stopped drinking, showing significant physical change.

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#16

156 Days Sober

Before-and-after image showing changes after stopping drinking.

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#17

500 Days Sober

Man in a red Ferris shirt, before and after quitting drinking, showing visible changes in appearance.

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#18

3y 4m 17d Sober Together

Couple transformation after quitting drinking, showcasing significant positive changes in appearance.

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#19

95 Days Sober

Before and after photos showing changes when you stop drinking, featuring a man in a green shirt and a red shirt.

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#20

1 Year Sober

Before and after photos showing the effects of stopping drinking, highlighting positive transformation.

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…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.

#21

1 Year Sober

Before-and-after transformation of a man who stopped drinking alcohol.

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#22

6 Months Sober

Before-and-after images showing the transformation when you stop drinking.

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#23

At 11 Months Sober (3.85 Years Now)

Before and after photos showing changes when you stop drinking, featuring a man in similar outfits but visibly different.

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#24

4 Years Sober

Transformation before-and-after photos show effects of stopping drinking.

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#25

1 Year Sober

Before and after photos showing transformation after stopping drinking.

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#26

77 Days Sober

Before-and-after photos showing the positive effects of quitting drinking.

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#27

7 Months Sober

Person showing before-and-after effects of quitting alcohol, smiling with a friend and posing by a red car.

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#28

1 Year Sober

Before-and-after transformation showing impact of stopping drinking, with a man holding a beer mug and then a note outdoors.

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#29

1 Year Sober

Before and after photos showing the impact of quitting drinking, highlighting positive changes in appearance.

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#30

100 Days Sober

Before and after comparison showing effects of stopping drinking.

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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.

#31

120 Days Without A Drink

Before-and-after photo showing changes in a man’s appearance after quitting alcohol.

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#32

5 Months Sober

Before-and-after images showing transformation after quitting drinking, featuring a person with and without glasses.

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#33

5 Months Sober.

Before-and-after transformation of a woman showing changes after stopping drinking.

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#34

What A Difference 5+ Years Of Sobriety Makes! Sober Date: January 16, 2011. #recoveryrocks #iamtheevidence #gratitude

Before and after photos showing effects of quitting drinking on a woman's appearance and mood.

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#35

2 Years.

Before-and-after image of a man with his daughter showing changes after stopping drinking.

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#36

151 Days Sober

Before-and-after images of a man showing transformation after stopping drinking, from hospital bed to joyful under waterfall.

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#37

21 Months Sober

Before-and-after image showing changes when you stop drinking, featuring a person with different hairstyles and expressions.

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#38

2 Years

Before and after photos showing the transformation when stopping drinking; left image with casual attire, right in a suit.

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#39

Before & After :)

Before and after image showing a woman's transformation after quitting alcohol.

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#40

19 Months Sober

Before and after images showing a man's transformation after he stopped drinking alcohol.

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#41

17 Months Sober

Before and after photos showing changes after stopping drinking alcohol.

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#42

1,368 Days Sober

Before and after comparison of woman showing impact of quitting drinking.

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#43

15 Months Sober

Before-and-after comparison showing the impact of quitting drinking, with improved appearance and health.

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#44

9 Years Sober

Before-and-after photo showing the effects of stopping drinking, with noticeable positive changes in appearance.

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#45

1,5 Years Sober.

Before-and-after photos of a woman showing the positive effects of stopping drinking.

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#46

13 Months Sober .. Not Only Did I Stop Alcohol And All Non Aa Substance I Also Stopped Drinking Soda.

Before-and-after image of a woman showing the effects of stopping drinking, with visible changes in appearance and setting.

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#47

2 Months Sober

Before and after pictures show physical transformation after quitting drinking.

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#48

Before And ~6 Monthsish

Before and after image of a man who stopped drinking, showing a noticeable change in appearance.

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#49

234 Days Sober

Before-and-after images of a woman showcasing changes after stopping drinking.

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#50

8 Months Sober

Before-and-after photos showing a man's transformation after quitting drinking.

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#51

5 Years Sober

5 Years Sober

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#52

1.5 Years Sober (100lbs Less)

1.5 Years Sober (100lbs Less)

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#53

One Step At A Time

One Step At A Time

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#54

1 Year Difference

1 Year Difference

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#55

Best Decision I Ever Made.

Best Decision I Ever Made.

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#56

1 Year Sober (i'm On The Left) 😁

1 Year Sober (i'm On The Left) 😁

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#57

234 Days Sober

234 Days Sober

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#58

Before In Late 2011, Trying To Moderate. Got Sober 8/19/2012. After Is In August Of 2016. 45lbs Lighter + My Bp Without Meds Was 196/92, Now It Is 118/62.

Before In Late 2011, Trying To Moderate. Got Sober 8/19/2012. After Is In August Of 2016. 45lbs Lighter + My Bp Without Meds Was 196/92, Now It Is 118/62.

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#59

4 Months Sober

4 Months Sober

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#60

30 Years.....

30 Years.....

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#61

15 Months Sober

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#62

11 Years Sober

11 Years Sober

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#63

13+ Years Sober Whollysober.com

13+ Years Sober Whollysober.com

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#64

5.25 Years Sober

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#65

1 Year Sober!

1 Year Sober!

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#66

3 Months Difference.. Left To Right.

3 Months Difference.. Left To Right.

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#67

3.5 Years Sober!

3.5 Years Sober!

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#68

4 Years Sober

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#69

10 Years Sober

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#70

5 Years!

5 Years!

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#71

11 Months And 19 Days Sober

11 Months And 19 Days Sober

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#72

10 Months Down... Fat Face Mcgee. Go Cubs!

10 Months Down... Fat Face Mcgee. Go Cubs!

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#73

Sober Nick

Sober Nick

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#74

4 Months Sans Booze

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#75

Forstmann

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#76

15 Months Sober

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#77

3 Year's Sober

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#78

18 Months!

18 Months!

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#79

Sobriety Date 7/11/05

Sobriety Date 7/11/05

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#80

12 Years Sober

12 Years Sober

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#81

Not All Can Want It, But If You Truly Try You Can Defeat It Or At Least Minimize It

Not All Can Want It, But If You Truly Try You Can Defeat It Or At Least Minimize It

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#82

At 77 Days, I Did My 1st Half Marathon!

At 77 Days, I Did My 1st Half Marathon!

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#83

986 Days Sober!

986 Days Sober!

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#84

6 Months No Alcohol

6 Months No Alcohol

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#85

9 Months Sober

9 Months Sober

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#86

21 Months Sober

21 Months Sober

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#87

Before And After Drinking 3 1/2 Years Sober

Before And After Drinking 3 1/2 Years Sober

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#88

She & Him: 1715 & 1711 Days

She & Him: 1715 & 1711 Days

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#89

9 Months Sober

9 Months Sober

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#90

Me Haha

Me Haha

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#91

Sober Date 6.20.89 I Was 18.... 27years And Counting Odat ❤️

Sober Date 6.20.89 I Was 18.... 27years And Counting Odat ❤️

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#92

Ten Months Sober

Ten Months Sober

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#93

928 Days Sober

928 Days Sober

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#94

Second Day Sober ;)

Second Day Sober ;)

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#95

/:

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#96

David Sullivan

David Sullivan

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#97

9 Months Sober

9 Months Sober

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#98

My Last Day As An Alcoholic 8.18.14 Celebrating 2 Years 2 Months And 20 Days Sober

My Last Day As An Alcoholic 8.18.14 Celebrating 2 Years 2 Months And 20 Days Sober

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#99

10 Months Sober

10 Months Sober

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#100

Yuck

Yuck

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#101

Char

Char

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#102

Ми

Ми

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#103

3.38 Years Sober.

3.38 Years Sober.

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#104

7 Months

7 Months

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#105

Before 10 Months Sober

Before 10 Months Sober

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#106

318 Days Sober

318 Days Sober

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#107

Before And After 12 Days In Rehab, 2yrs Ago.

Before And After 12 Days In Rehab, 2yrs Ago.

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#108

Before Rehab.

Before Rehab.

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#109

22.5 Months Sober

22.5 Months Sober

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#110

Me

Me

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#111

Hung Over

Hung Over

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#112

Before

Before

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#113

Now 17 Months!

Now 17 Months!

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#114

Me

Me

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#115

After 12 Days In Rehab! 2years Ago.

After 12 Days In Rehab! 2years Ago.

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#116

Good Looking Dude 😀😂

Good Looking Dude 😀😂

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#117

Was A Heavy Binge Drinker 15 Months Ago

Was A Heavy Binge Drinker 15 Months Ago

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#118

1 Year Sober Before And After

1 Year Sober Before And After

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#119

Sober Since 9-9-2015

Sober Since 9-9-2015

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#120

289lbs

289lbs

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#121

289lbs

289lbs

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#122

8 Months Sober. (-70lbs)

8 Months Sober. (-70lbs)

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#123

Sober For The First Time In Ten Years

Sober For The First Time In Ten Years

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#124

7 Months Sober, So Much Less Bloated!

7 Months Sober, So Much Less Bloated!

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#125

If I Stopped Wine

If I Stopped Wine

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#126

1999 Woodstock

1999 Woodstock

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#127

Just Wanted To Read An Article

Just Wanted To Read An Article

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