Ellie Kemp
Plenty of us might be thinking of cutting back on our alcohol consumption this time of year.
With Sober October well underway, some of us will be putting down the bottle for good - or least for a little while.
But have you considered what actually happens to your body once you do?
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An eery simulation illustrates exactly that - highlighting some ways the booze impacts us we may never have even realised.
YouTube channel The Infographics Show shared the eight-minute video with their 14.5 million subscribers.
It gives us a real insight into what takes place inside our bodies, just seconds after quitting alcohol.
Immediately after, ‘your liver slowly filters out the toxins and sugars found in the alcohol,' the video explains.
After an hour, 'your body has filtered your blood several times and metabolized the drinks you’ve had.' That's pretty quick work from our bodies there!
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As the video explains, though, 'the time it takes your body to break down the alcohol directly correlates to the amount consumed'.
A day of going dry sees your immune system return to normal, while three to five days in, even more benefits become noticeable.
This includes your blood pressure beginning to drop and feeling less stressed.
The video continues: “You might also notice your appetite begins to decrease about a week after you stop consuming alcohol.”
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After a fortnight with no alcohol, you ‘may find your cognitive abilities start to improve’ and about three weeks to a month later, your ‘liver will begin to thank you’.
The video explains the science: “Without having to worry about alcohol, your liver can focus on breaking down other toxins that are produced by the body, which overall will make you feel healthier.
"The regeneration of damaged tissue takes time, but it happens much quicker when you stop drinking."
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It could take up to two months since your last sip of alcohol for your liver to be working at 'full power' again.
Your heart will repair from damage that might've been caused in that time too.
Quitting the drink can help prevent future health complications too.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alcohol has been found to be a carcinogen, meaning that there is a chance that the substance can be a cause of cancer.
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The simulation touches on this too, explaining: “The research suggests that people who consume large amounts of alcohol are at higher risk for certain types of cancer, which makes sense when you think about it.
“Since your body technically sees alcohol as a toxin, and your liver is responsible for removing that toxin, it is no surprise that people who are heavy drinkers have a high risk of developing liver cancer.”
If you've been affected by addiction and want to speak to someone in confidence, you can call American Addiction Centers on (888) 324-0595, available 24/7, or contact them through their website.