Sobriety: Benefits of Reducing Alcohol Consumption

*Not Financial or Medical Advice. Your money, your body, your choice.*

What if I told you there was an easy way to make more money and live longer and the only thing you have to do is not do something? Sounds too good to be true right?

I used to think so too. However, recent studies published in peer-reviewed journals have revealed that drinking less or quitting alcohol altogether can bring about remarkable improvements in various aspects of life.

I've recently tried to cap my drinking at two standard drinks per week - the scientifically recommended maximum with minimum side effects. Of course, no drinks are better than two but I do enjoy the social aspect that often surrounds drinking.

In this article, we delve into the scientific evidence that showcases how reducing alcohol intake can lead to enhanced physical and mental well-being, reduce cancer risks, increase lifespan, improve our relationships, and even keep us from loosing money.

1. Reducing Cancer Risks: Numerous studies have established a strong link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of certain cancers. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Cancer Society (ACS), alcohol consumption is associated with an elevated risk of developing cancers such as:

a) Breast Cancer (Source: The New England Journal of Medicine): A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that even low to moderate alcohol consumption could increase the risk of breast cancer in women. Limiting alcohol intake can significantly reduce this risk.

b) Esophageal Cancer (Source: The Lancet Oncology): The Lancet Oncology published a study showing a clear association between alcohol consumption and esophageal cancer. Decreasing alcohol consumption can contribute to lowering the risk of developing this type of cancer.

c) Liver Cancer (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology): The Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that heavy alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for liver cancer. Cutting back on alcohol can play a crucial role in reducing this risk.

Cancer Risk Over Time Based on Drinks Per Week

Visual from the British Journal of Cancer - click photo to go to article

2. Improved Physical Performance: Alcohol consumption can negatively impact physical performance, affecting factors such as endurance, strength, and muscle recovery. Studies published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and Alcohol and Alcoholism suggest the following effects:

a) Decreased Muscle Recovery (Source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research): Alcohol consumption hampers muscle recovery after exercise, leading to slower post-workout healing and potential muscle damage.

b) Reduced Endurance (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism): Alcohol impairs cardiovascular function, negatively affecting aerobic endurance and overall physical performance during exercise.

3. Enhanced Mental Performance: While many individuals believe that alcohol can improve mood or cognitive function, research from peer-reviewed journals indicates otherwise. Reducing alcohol consumption can lead to enhanced mental well-being and cognitive abilities: a) Improved Cognitive Function (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism): A study published in Alcohol and Alcoholism found that quitting alcohol led to improvements in cognitive function, including memory, attention, and information processing speed. b) Reduced Risk of Mental Health Issues (Source: JAMA Psychiatry): The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Psychiatry reported that alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Limiting alcohol intake can contribute to better mental health.

4. Increased Lifespan: Studies on the effects of alcohol consumption and longevity suggest that drinking less or abstaining from alcohol can lead to a longer life span:

a) Reduced Mortality (Source: BMJ Open): A comprehensive study published in BMJ Open concluded that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of mortality. Abstaining from alcohol can potentially increase longevity. 5. Financial Benefits:

a) Saving Money (Source: The Journal of Consumer Affairs): Limiting alcohol consumption translates to substantial cost savings. A study published in The Journal of Consumer Affairs highlights how cutting back on alcohol expenses can free up financial resources for other essential investments or savings.

b) Enhanced Career Opportunities (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism): Reducing alcohol intake can improve productivity and job performance, potentially leading to career advancement and higher earning potential. A study in Alcohol and Alcoholism demonstrates that alcohol consumption negatively affects work-related skills.

c) Decreased Healthcare Costs (Source: Health Services Research): A reduction in alcohol consumption can lead to improved health, which, in turn, can result in fewer medical expenses. A study published in Health Services Research highlights how curbing alcohol intake can reduce healthcare utilization and associated costs.

6. Improved Relationships: "If you need to be drinking to have fun with friends, then you need new friends."

a) Strengthened Communication (Source: Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs): Alcohol consumption can sometimes hinder effective communication within relationships. A study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs reveals that reducing alcohol intake can lead to more meaningful interactions and enhanced emotional connections.

b) Increased Empathy and Emotional Bonding (Source: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research): Alcohol can impede emotional connection and empathy in relationships. A study in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research indicates that abstaining from alcohol can improve emotional bonding and intimacy.

c) Heightened Reliability and Trust (Source: Substance Use & Misuse): Reducing alcohol consumption leads to increased reliability and trustworthiness in personal and professional relationships. A study in Substance Use & Misuse demonstrates that alcohol abstinence positively impacts trustworthiness.

Studies from many respected peer-reviewed journals also support the notion that cutting back on alcohol can also reduce cancer risks, improve physical and mental performance, and contribute to a longer, healthier life. The data also shows that sobriety, or at least drinking less, can have a profound impact on finances and relationships. Financially, drinking less has a correlation with increased savings, career opportunities, and reduced healthcare costs. At the same time, we also found via theses studies that drinking less or not at all improves communication, empathy, and trust within relationships and can ultimately lead to more fulfilling connections with loved ones.

Sources:

1. The New England Journal of Medicine - "Alcohol and Breast Cancer" (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsr1900553)

2. The Lancet Oncology - "Global Burden of Cancer Attributable to Alcohol Consumption" (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(18)30351-2/fulltext)

3. Journal of Clinical Oncology - "Alcohol Consumption and Liver Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis" (https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.2009.25.8070)

4. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research - "The Effect of Alcohol on Post-Exercise Recovery of Performance" (https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2014/01000/The_Effect_of_Alcohol_on_Post_Exercise_Recovery_of.19.aspx)

5. Alcohol and Alcoholism - "Alcohol and Physical Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" (https://academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/53/6/648/5496365)

6. Alcohol and Alcoholism - "Alcohol and Cognitive Performance: A Meta-Analysis" (https://academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/44/3/224/138215)

7. JAMA Psychiatry - "Associations of Alcohol Intake with Circulating Sex Hormones and Gene Expression Profiles in Premenopausal Women" (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/209608)

8. BMJ Open - "Alcohol Consumption and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/12/e031182)

9. The Journal of Consumer Affairs - "Do You Drink Your Retirement Savings? New Evidence on the Subjective Well-being Effects of Alcohol" (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1745-6606.2009.01149.x)

10. Alcohol and Alcoholism - "Effects of Alcohol Hangover on Cognitive Performance: Findings from a Field/Internet Mixed Methodology Study" (https://academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/43/2/163/184641)

11. Health Services Research - "Effects of Alcoholism Treatment on Medical Care Use" (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1475-6773.1998.tb03608.x)

12. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs - "Drinking Motives and Drinking Contexts: An Empirical Investigation of Relationships with Alcohol Use and Abuse" (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3473138/)

13. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - "The Effect of a Moderation Intervention on Divergent Reactive Aggression in Heavy Drinkers" (https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-3/186-193.htm)

14. Substance Use & Misuse - "The Role of Substance Use and Aggressive Behavior in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration" (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/10826084.2015.1019951)