Doctor reveals the drastic changes she's noticed after a month off booze

An Australian doctor has listed the many positive changes she's noticed after quitting alcohol for a month.

Dr Deb Cohen-Jones, a GP from Perth, Western Australia, went without booze in April after she noticed it had become a coping mechanism for stress.

After going sober for four weeks, she woke up early feeling refreshed, craved greasy foods less frequently and was more likely to exercise in the morning.

Dr Cohen-Jones also noticed a drastic decrease in feeling anxious and overall felt more in control.

Dr Deb Cohen-Jones, a GP from Perth, Western Australia, (pictured) went without booze in April and noticed drastic improvements 

By going sober for four weeks, she woke up early feeling refreshed, craved greasy foods less frequently and was more likely to exercise in the morning

Sharing her experience on Instagram, she admitted two weeks of the month involved isolating at home due to being sick with Covid, which made things slightly easier.

'Interestingly I had absolutely no desire to drink at any point when at home, particularly when I was feeling unwell… I simply don't drink at home and so don't even think about it,' she wrote. 

'The few times we did go out for a meal or with friends I felt a little 'fomo' (left out) initially, however this settled quickly and I found I actually enjoyed and savoured my food more.'

The most notable changes occurred in the morning and she also felt less bloated after eating. 

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Research shows the body starts the detoxification process 12 hours after your last beverage and after four weeks blood sugar levels stabilise

What to expect when you stop drinking

Within 12-24 hours: Detoxification begins and blood sugar normalises. 

During this period you may experience withdrawal symptoms including sweating, anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Within one week: Quality of sleep should improve and you should start to feel more energised and hydrated.

Within two weeks: Weight loss may begin thanks to cutting out the hidden calories in alcohol.

Within three to four weeks: Blood pressure stabilises.

Source: Dry July

'Since the month has ended I am definitely thinking twice before having a drink and limiting myself to two drinks if I do,' she wrote.

'I definitely believe that the month off was a great opportunity to reset and plan to do this several times a year.'

Doctors say abstaining from alcohol for as little as one month enhances concentration and decision-making, while also reducing the risk of mental health issues including anxiety and depression.

Research shows the body starts the detoxification process 12 hours after your last beverage and after four weeks blood sugar levels stabilise.  

Revealed: Long-term effects of regular heavy drinking

Brain: Drinking too much can affect your concentration, judgement, mood and memory. It increases your risk of having a stroke and developing dementia.

Heart: Heavy drinking increases your blood pressure and can lead to heart damage and heart attacks.

Liver: Drinking three to four standard drinks a day increases your risk of developing liver cancer. Long-term heavy drinking also puts you at increased risk of liver cirrhosis (scarring) and death. 

Stomach: Drinking even one to two standard drinks a day increases your risk of stomach and bowel cancer, as well as stomach ulcers. 

Fertility: Regular heavy drinking reduces men's testosterone levels, sperm count and fertility. For women, drinking too much can affect their periods.

Source: Health Direct

It follows after Dr Cohen-Jones and skin clinic owner Dr Clara Hurst joined forces to innovate the online skincare brand The Secret - and revealed their own secrets for a radiant, healthy complexion.

Astounding before and after photos have flooded in ever since, with medical strength ingredients like Tretinoin and Hydroquinone responsible for noticeable results in a matter of weeks. 

The pair are constantly complimented on their own skin, and while they use their products daily, they combine them with a few other favourites and key lifestyle habits.   

Skin clinic owner Dr Clara Hurst (right) and GP Dr Deb Cohen-Jones (left) met in 2019 and saw a gap in the market for 'highly effective solutions' for cosmetic skin conditions like acne, rosacea, fine lines, skin laxity and pigmentation

Astounding before and after photos have flooded in ever since, with medical strength ingredients like Tretinoin and Hydroquinone responsible for noticeable results in a matter of weeks

Dr Cohen-Jones told FEMAIL in addition to a regular skincare routine she makes sure she is always well hydrated and tries to avoid too much alcohol.

She is also lactose and dairy-free, eats minimal sugar and is an advocate for wholegrains, whole goods, greens, collagen and Vitamin D supplements.  

Every morning Dr Deb starts off with a Tatcha Cleansing Oil followed by The Secret Serum, Eye Serum and Day Brightening Elixir (alternating between sensitive and regular).

Dr Deb told FEMAIL in addition to a regular skincare routine she makes sure she is always well hydrated and tries to avoid too much alcohol

Dr Deb is also is also lactose and dairy-free and eats minimal sugar

She also uses the Rationale 50+ Tinted Serum and Ultra Violette suncreen as well as the Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask two to three days per week. 

At night she uses the Medik8 Lipid Balancing Cleanser, The Secret Cellular Repair Night Cream and the Cellular Repair Night Eye Cream. 

Every third night she uses a Tatcha Face Oil and every second night she uses an Omnilux LED mask before her Cellular Repair.  

In summer she uses an extra pump of serum, reapplies sunscreen if needed and uses Cellular Repair more often due to increased pigmentation 

'The goal when creating The Secret has always been a flawless complexion without any makeup,' she said.

'My skin has never looked better than it does with my current regime and my regime literally takes three minutes.'

How does Dr Deb Cohen-Jones look after her skin? 

Morning: 

- Tatcha Cleansing Oil ($60)

- Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask two to three days a week ($62)

- The Secret - Serum, Eye serum, Day Brightening Elixir (alternative days sensitive and regular)

- Rationale 50 plus Tinted Serum ($96)

- Ultra Violette Sunscreen ($47)

Night:

- Medik8 lipid balancing cleanser ($52)

- The Secret - Cellular Repair Night and Eye Night Cream

- Tatcha Face Oil every third night ($135)

- Omnilux Home Mask every second night  ($605)

Extra Tips: 

- I hydrate and avoid too much alcohol

- I eat lactose free/dairy free and reduce sugars as well as eat lots of whole foods, grains, greens

- I take Vitamin D supplements, collagen and apply Secret Stress Repair to red/spotty areas if needed

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