What health benefits?

Question
Peter,

I used to be a problem drinker, but with my new job I had to confine my binges to once or twice a month at home, and one or two drinks a day.(My old job was a drinkers dream)

I am pretty good at keeping resolutions, I gave up smoking and exercise regularly, so now finally at 50 I am ready to put away the bottle, or at least go for an extended period booze free, possibly fall off, then try to go longer.

Since I am concerned more about my health (my personal/famill life is good), I would like to know what health improvements I can look forward to to keep me going?

Right now I have GERD, have abdominal obesity accompanied by bloating (that worsens after a binge), and sleep apnea.

I suspect all three are related to the drink.

Will these improve (especially the big hard belly that drives me crazy) and what other improvements could I expect?

Thanks so much and Happy New Year!


Answer
Hi Bud,



I think I recall a question from you a short time ago, along this same theme.  If I remember you were asking about what health consequences you may have incurred from drinking.



Well, regarding health improvements, there are many associated with stopping heavy alcohol consumption.  Alcohol has potentially damaging effects on nearly every organ in the body.



Your overall well-being should improve from the lack of alcohol toxicity. You should end up with more energy to exercise, which in turn increases mental health.  There is now a very strong association between exercise and mental health.  As many people quitting addiction have depressive symptoms, this finding is very important.  Your brain health should improve, with better memory and cognitive functioning overall. I would advise you engage in cognitive brain training, sort of like going to the gym for your brain.  For $10/month I subscribe to an online service called Lumosity (lumosity.com) that has a series of brain training exercises.  Brain training was found beneficial for recovering individuals in a recent study.  I find these exercises very valuable for me at age 57.



Your skin tone should improve, and possibly you will appear younger over time as you stop putting stress on your body from alcohol.  Many of my clients have aged due to their addictive behaviors, compared to an abstinent person their age.  Your skeletal system should benefit from the elimination of alcohol as well, with you no longer causing degeneration in your bones and joints.  Many joint replacements are due to alcoholism.



I hope this answers your questions.



Best,

Peter