Overview
- The latest systematic review, covering 16 studies and more than 150,000 participants, reports measurable improvements in sleep, mood, blood pressure, liver function and weight after one month without alcohol.
- Participants who used structured supports such as registration, tracking apps and motivational messages were more likely to complete the month and sustain lower alcohol use afterward.
- Expert guidance emphasizes preparation and support, including setting realistic goals, enlisting friends or family, planning alcohol-free activities and choosing substitutes like non-alcoholic beer or mocktails.
- Physicians caution that people with heavy alcohol dependence should seek medical supervision before attempting abstinence because withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous or life-threatening.
- An opinion piece argues that temporary abstinence can mask underlying addiction for some individuals and notes broader harms persist, citing rising global alcohol use and increasing alcohol-related deaths among women.