Experts share benefits of going sober for a month as Perth bar QT offers mocktails to celebrate Dry July

West Australian

04-07-2025

As West Australians turn to non-alcoholic alternatives this Dry July, experts say cutting out alcohol can have health benefits in just a week — let alone a month.
Dry July encourages people to give up alcohol for the month to raise funds for cancer patients across the country.
Cancer Council WA alcohol program manager Julia Stafford said joining the challenge has a long list of health benefits but the biggest perk was breaking the habit of ordering a bevvy every time you go to a bar.
'The greatest benefit will really come from reducing how much you drink over the longer term,' she said.
'It can be the start of finding some alternative ways to socialise and alternative drinks that you find appealing but don't have alcohol in them.'
Perth bars like the Rooftop at QT are offering extra non-alcoholic alternatives this month so people can still enjoy drinking with their friends — without the hangover.
Bartenders Remy Wise-Petering and Tseg Asressewill will be serving up blueberry no-jitos, featuring Lyre's white cane spirit, instead of mojitos this month.
Another non-alcohol treat is a sober sunrise, as an alternative to a tequila sunrise.
Habit Change Institute director Gina Cleo said swapping to a mocktail was a great way to kick the drinking habit.
'It's really hard to sometimes stop a social habit, but if you were to swap your alcoholic drink for a non-alcoholic drink, then you don't feel as though you're missing out as much because you still get to go out,' she said.
Here's a timeline of how your body can react after putting down the booze.
One Week
Better sleep is the No. 1 improvement people will notice after just one week of putting down the booze.
The liver starts to recover almost immediately after not having any drinks and after one week your skin begins to rehydrate leading to clearer skin and more energy.
'We're aware that within around a week of taking a break from alcohol, you could experience a better quality sleep, improved concentration and focus,' Ms Stafford said.
'That break might help also reduce fatigue and give you back some of that energy to explore other opportunities — things to do other than drinking alcohol.'
Two Weeks
Cutting out alcohol can improve digestion in just two weeks especially for those whose stomachs become irritated when drinking alcohol.
Dr Cleo said many people would notice a boost in their mood and fewer energy crashes.
'Their bloating starts to go down, they might feel lighter overall, and they're also just more likely to make healthier food and sleep choices,' Dr Cleo said.
'It really has a ripple effect.'
Three Weeks
Dr Cleo said after three weeks habits to do with eating can change completely.
'You may notice weight loss, if alcohol was contributing extra calories, and you will notice that cravings for things like sugar or late night snacks often go away because your blood sugar levels are stabilised a lot more,' she said.
Sleep cycles can also reset completely after three weeks allowing for deeper and more restorative rest.
One Month
Liver function improves significantly after a month away from alcohol and people feel more emotionally balanced and mentally focused.
Dr Cleo said more importantly for someone really drawn to alcohol it takes about 30 days of abstinence to rewire the brain to stop that habit.
'People will really notice clearer skin, fewer headaches, much more stable moods and probably, most importantly, people have proven to themselves that they can make a change and that confidence carries into other parts of their life,' she said.
'A month is such a great start into changing that habit and a lot of people do just feel so good they don't want to go back to drinking, and if they do, they at least have had an opportunity to be mindful of their relationship with alcohol.'
The National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline [phone]