Alcohol Recovery Timeline: What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking

The alcohol recovery timeline follows a predictable pattern, and knowing what to expect at each stage helps you prepare for the changes ahead.

What You'll Discover:

• What happens in the first 24 to 72 hours after stopping alcohol.

• How withdrawal symptoms progress and when they peak.

• What physical improvements occur in the first week.

• How your body continues healing in weeks two through four.

• What changes to expect in months one through three.

• Long-term recovery milestones at six months and beyond.

• How medication can support recovery at each stage.

When you stop drinking, your body begins a repair process that unfolds over days, weeks, and months. Understanding this alcohol recovery timeline helps set realistic expectations and provides motivation as you experience each stage.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, recovery from alcohol use disorder is possible with the right support. The timeline varies based on how much and how long you've been drinking, but most people follow a similar general pattern.

The First 24 to 72 Hours

The first thing to know is that the initial days after stopping alcohol are often the most challenging. Your body has adapted to regular alcohol consumption, and removing it triggers a response.

Hours 6 to 12 - Early withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 6 to 12 hours after your last drink. These can include anxiety, shakiness, sweating, nausea, headache, and trouble sleeping. The severity depends on your drinking history.

Hours 12 to 24 - Symptoms usually intensify during this period. Heart rate and blood pressure may increase. Irritability and restlessness are common. Some people experience mild confusion.

Hours 24 to 72 - Withdrawal symptoms typically peak around 24 to 72 hours. For most people, this is when symptoms are at their worst. Heavy, long-term drinkers face higher risk of serious complications during this window.

Something to consider is that withdrawal can be medically serious for some people. If you've been drinking heavily for months or years, consulting a healthcare provider before stopping is advisable. They can assess your risk level and recommend appropriate support.

For detailed information on withdrawal timing, see our article on how long alcohol withdrawal lasts.

Days 4 Through 7

By day four, acute withdrawal symptoms begin to subside for most people. Your body is adjusting to functioning without alcohol.

Physical changes:

• Sleep disruption often continues but starts improving

• Appetite typically returns

• Hydration levels normalize

• Blood pressure begins stabilizing

• Tremors and shakiness decrease significantly

Mental changes:

• Anxiety levels start declining from their peak

• Concentration remains difficult but improves

• Mood swings are common as brain chemistry rebalances

• Cravings may still be strong but come in waves

If it seems like the first week is a rollercoaster, that's because it often is. Your brain and body are recalibrating after relying on alcohol to function. The discomfort of this period is temporary.

One study found that most physical withdrawal symptoms resolve within 5 to 7 days, though some psychological symptoms can persist longer. The brain needs more time to fully adjust than the body does.

Week Two

The second week marks a turning point for many people. Acute withdrawal is typically over, and noticeable improvements begin.

What improves:

• Sleep quality often gets significantly better, though it may take longer for some

• Energy levels start increasing

• Digestive system begins healing

• Skin appearance may improve as hydration normalizes

• Mental clarity increases

What may still be challenging:

• Cravings can remain strong, often triggered by situations associated with drinking

• Emotional regulation takes time as neurotransmitters rebalance

• Boredom or restlessness as you adjust to not drinking

• Social situations where alcohol is present

The second week is when many people start feeling genuine physical benefits. The liver begins repairing itself, and the reduction in inflammation starts showing results.

Weeks Three and Four

By the end of the first month, the initial recovery phase is largely complete. Your body has made significant progress.

Physical progress:

• Liver enzymes often return to normal ranges

• Blood pressure typically normalizes

• Weight may change as you're no longer consuming alcohol calories

• Immune function improves

• Digestion stabilizes

Mental progress:

• Mood becomes more stable

• Anxiety and depression often improve significantly

• Cognitive function continues sharpening

• Sleep quality reaches normal patterns for most people

So, how much of the damage from drinking can be reversed? The short answer is that it depends on how severe the damage was. Fatty liver disease, for example, can often reverse completely within weeks of stopping. More advanced liver damage may improve but not fully heal.

Research shows that the brain also demonstrates significant recovery during this period. Neural pathways begin rebuilding, and the prefrontal cortex regains function that may have been impaired.

Months Two and Three

The second and third months bring continued improvement as your body enters a deeper repair phase.

Physical healing:

• Liver function continues improving

• Cardiovascular health strengthens

• Sleep patterns stabilize completely

• Energy levels often exceed pre-drinking baseline

• Physical appearance improvements become more noticeable

Mental and emotional changes:

• Cravings typically become less frequent and less intense

• Emotional resilience builds

• Memory and concentration improve further

• Relationships often begin improving

This period aligns with what the NIAAA defines as early remission. Reaching three months without alcohol is a significant milestone that dramatically reduces relapse risk.

For that reason, maintaining support during this phase remains important. The physical discomfort of early recovery is gone, but psychological patterns still need attention.

Six Months and Beyond

At six months, you're well into sustained recovery. The changes that began in the first weeks have compounded.

Long-term benefits include:

• Substantially reduced risk of alcohol-related cancers

• Improved immune function and fewer illnesses

• Better mental health outcomes

• Improved financial situation from not spending money on alcohol

• Stronger relationships

• Enhanced work performance

• Reduced risk of liver disease, heart disease, and stroke

What to expect psychologically:

• Cravings become rare for most people

• New habits and routines are established

• Triggers that once felt overwhelming become manageable

• Sense of accomplishment and confidence builds

At the one-year mark, the NIAAA considers this sustained remission. Your brain has largely rewired itself, and the neural patterns that drove compulsive drinking have weakened significantly.

All that said, recovery is an ongoing process. Many people find that staying connected to some form of support helps maintain their progress long-term.

How Medication Supports the Recovery Timeline

Medication can make each stage of the alcohol recovery timeline easier to navigate. Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication that reduces cravings and the rewarding effects of alcohol.

So, how does naltrexone work? The medication blocks opioid receptors in the brain. When these receptors are blocked, drinking doesn't produce the same pleasurable "buzz." Over time, this breaks the association between alcohol and reward, making cravings naturally decrease.

How naltrexone helps at each stage:

• Early recovery - Reduces the intensity of cravings during the difficult first weeks

• Month one - Helps maintain progress by preventing alcohol from feeling rewarding if you do drink

• Months two through six - Supports the brain's rewiring process by consistently blocking the reward response

• Long-term - Some people continue taking naltrexone to prevent relapse

Naltrexone is taken as a daily 50mg tablet. It doesn't require complete abstinence to be effective. Research shows that people taking naltrexone have significantly fewer heavy drinking days compared to those using willpower alone.

The medication works best when combined with some form of behavioral support, whether coaching, therapy, or a support group. This addresses both the biological and psychological aspects of recovery.

Our article on how naltrexone helps you regain control explains the medication in more detail.

Factors That Affect Your Timeline

Individual recovery timelines vary based on several factors:

Drinking history - How much and how long you drank affects how much your body needs to repair. Someone who drank heavily for 20 years will have a different timeline than someone who developed problematic drinking over two years.

Overall health - Pre-existing health conditions, nutrition, and fitness level all influence how quickly your body heals.

Support system - Having support from healthcare providers, family, friends, or a program improves outcomes and can accelerate recovery.

Genetics - Some people metabolize alcohol differently and may have genetic factors that affect their recovery process.

Mental health - Underlying anxiety, depression, or trauma can complicate recovery if not addressed alongside the drinking.

For a deeper look at how alcohol problems develop, see our article on the 5 stages of alcohol addiction.

Taking the First Step

The alcohol recovery timeline shows that your body has remarkable ability to heal. The difficult early days give way to weeks and months of progressive improvement. Most people who stop drinking report feeling significantly better physically and mentally within the first few months.

If you're considering making a change, understanding what lies ahead can help you prepare. Medication like naltrexone can make the journey easier by reducing cravings from the start.

Take the online Alcohol Use Assessment to learn more about your drinking patterns and see if naltrexone could support your recovery.