Completely refraining from consuming alcohol lowers the risk of some of the health risks listed above. Although some of those effects can occur without alcohol consumption, avoiding alcohol helps decrease the risks. Individuals who drink alcohol in excess can help improve their overall health by stopping drinking. For some people, this can be an easy process. However, people who are dependent on alcohol or have been misusing alcohol for a long period of time may have difficulty quitting. Some of the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal include: shakiness anxiety headaches irritability depression tremors a fast heart rate sweating Individuals who do not experience withdrawal symptoms will likely see the positive effects of giving up alcohol shortly after doing so. Some of the beneficial effects of avoiding alcohol include: weight loss more energy better sleep a lower risk of various conditions If a person thinks that they might be consuming alcohol at a rate that would classify as moderate drinking, heavy drinking, or binge drinking, they should consider cutting back to improve their overall health and well-being. Consuming alcohol can increase the risk of high blood pressure and other metabolic conditions in several ways. For example, alcohol can affect calcium levels, cortisol levels, and baroreceptor sensitivity, all of which can lead to increases in blood pressure. To prevent various health complications, including high blood pressure, people should try to limit their alcohol consumption to one or two glasses infrequently. If a person has concerns that they or someone they know might have a dependency on alcohol, they should seek professional advice and support as soon as they can.