Cutting down or giving up alcohol can have many benefits for your health, relationships and general wellbeing.
Improved relationships
A healthier relationship with alcohol can improve relationships with the people you care about.
Drinking less or giving up alcohol can mean:
- more quality time together
- fewer arguments
- the chance to bond over different activities
- less tension
Fewer hangovers
You may spend a lot of time at the weekends with a hangover.
Or you may feel low or depressed after a night of drinking. This is alcohol-induced anxiety, sometimes called hangxiety or 'the fear'.
To wake up with a clear head and feeling energetic can be a welcome break. This can help you enjoy your free time more fully.
Taking the focus off alcohol can lead to new experiences that do not involve drinking.
Feeling down after drinking too much
How alcohol affects sports performance
Increased savings
Use our drinks calculator to find out how much you could save by cutting down or giving up alcohol.
For example, a saving of €150 a month could give you:
- a family holiday every year
- around 8 years and €50,000 off a 30-year mortgage worth €300,000 - depending on your mortgage terms
- dinners out, sports or theatre tickets every month
- a monthly treat - some new clothes, fancy gadgets or something special
Our drinks calculator can help you find out how your drinking affects your health, finances and weight.
Better health
Taking a break from alcohol or cutting down is one of the best things you can do for your health.
The less you drink, the lower the risk to your health.
Short-term effects on health
Short-term benefits of taking a break or cutting down can include:
- better sleep
- more energy
- weight loss
- fewer injuries
- lower blood sugar
- lower blood pressure
- fewer alcohol-related symptoms, such as headaches, heartburn, indigestion and stomach upsets
- less fatty build-up around the liver
- improved health conditions - for example, depression or skin conditions such as rosacea
- better absorption of nutrients such as vitamins B1 and B12, folic acid and zinc
Long-term effects on health
The long-term benefits include reducing your risk of:
- high blood pressure and strokes
- depression and anxiety
- 7 kinds of cancer
- liver disease
- many other alcohol-related conditions
Effects of alcohol on blood pressure and the heart
Weight loss
The link between alcohol and weight is complicated.
But alcohol has almost the same calories per gram as pure fat. Alcohol has 7 calories per gram compared to 9 calories per gram of fat.
Extra calories are added during production and in mixers (such as tonic or cola).
After drinking alcohol you are more likely to:
- eat snacks
- indulge in junk food
If you’re trying to lose weight, cutting back on alcohol may help.
Better sleep
Alcohol can reduce the amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep you get. This can make you feel drowsy and affect your concentration during the day.
You might need to give your body time to adjust to falling asleep without alcohol. When you do, you are likely to feel more rested and energetic.