What happens to the body after a month off alcohol
Stopping suddenly can be very dangerous for anyone who is dependent on alcohol, the NHS warns.
People who gave up alcohol for a month saw their blood pressure fall and their bodies get better at handling blood sugar, a 2018 study in BMJ Open found.
Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind the Dry January challenge, says 17.5 million people were planning a month off alcohol in January 2026. It calls the idea of a “Binge February” a myth, citing research that found the challenge “does not lead to rebound drinking”.
The study, carried out at the Royal Free hospital trust in London, compared 94 people who stopped drinking for a month with 47 who carried on.
Those who stopped had been drinking an average of 258.2g of alcohol a week. The NHS counts 8g of pure alcohol as one unit, so that is about 32 units.
That is more than twice its recommended maximum of 14 units a week, spread across three days or more. It also says there is “no completely safe level of drinking”.
The changes recorded in the group that stopped:
- Blood pressure fell, with the top number in a reading down by 6.6%.
- A score measuring how well the body handles blood sugar improved by nearly 26%.
- Total cholesterol dropped by 13.4%.
- Two blood tests of liver health improved, falling by about 15% and 29%.
- Two substances in the blood linked to cell growth and some cancers fell by about 42% and 74%. The authors call this a first in humans, but say it “would be wrong to speculate further” without longer studies.
- Weight fell by 1.5% on average.
The group that kept drinking showed no significant change in any of these measures.
The researchers list the study’s weaknesses themselves. People chose whether to stop drinking, rather than being put into a group at random.
They were also recruited through university teaching hospitals and a science magazine, so were probably better educated and more motivated about their health than average.
The checks covered only one month, so the study cannot say whether the changes last.
Nobody with alcohol dependence or known liver disease took part. For people who are dependent on alcohol, the NHS says it “can be very dangerous to stop drinking suddenly”.
Withdrawal symptoms are a sign of that dependence, and anyone who gets them is advised to get medical help before trying to stop.
They can include anxiety, sweating, shaking, hallucinations and seizures, and begin within six to 12 hours of the last drink. For severe ones, such as visible shaking, confusion or a seizure, the advice is to call 999 or go to A&E.
For anyone worried about their drinking, the NHS also points to a GP, local alcohol support services and Drinkline, a free, confidential helpline.