5 things that happen to your body when you stop drinking as Jason Bateman reveals talk that led him to sobriety
The star admitted he'd missed out on career opportunities because of his drinking
Ellie Kemp
Jason Bateman has been sober from alcohol for over two decades, after a conversation with his wife changed everything.
The Hollywood icon reflected on the decision in a recent interview, explaining how Amanda Anka, whom he married in 2001, encouraged him to put a stop to the habit.
The Zootopia star previously admitted his drinking and cocaine use caused him to miss out on career opportunities as he attempted to catch up on the 'fun' he'd missed out on in his early 20s.
"Having thought, 'This is really fun,' and staying at the party a little bit too long, I'd lost my place in line in the business; it was a case of trying to claw that back towards the end of the 90s, and not getting a lot of great responses," Bateman told The Guardian in 2022.
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Ahead of the release of his new HBO show, DTF St. Louis, Bateman told The Hollywood Reporter that he and Amanda 'definitely had a few negotiations about the point at which the [partying] spigot was going to completely turn off'.
He added that Amanda had encouraged him to rethink his lifestyle, telling him: "This drip, drip, drip is annoyingly unpredictable, Jason."
As part of the negotiations, Anka took a relaxed approach and Bateman explained that although she didn’t ‘demand’ he ‘absolve completely’ from substances, it was a natural conclusion he came to on his own, for the sake of his relationship.
"I was like, ‘Well, I feel like my [sobriety] ETA is six months away, but if I could land this plane now, it would alleviate a lot of the tension, so let’s just f***ing do it,’" he said.
Bateman has now been 'California sober' for more than two decades, having given up alcohol and cocaine and only smoking cannabis.
It's no secret that giving up alcohol can have some major benefits for your health, and with that in mind, we take a look at five ways ditching the booze impacts the body.
As Circle Health Group explains, there are five crucial ways quitting booze can benefit the body.
One is by taking the pressure off two major organs: the heart and the liver.
Excess drinking causes a type of fat called triglycerides, as well as cholesterol, to accumulate in the liver, which can lead to fatty liver disease, causing blood cholesterol levels to plummet even higher.
Not only does this put more pressure on the heart, but drinking in general can weaken the muscles and cause high blood pressure, increasing the risk of stroke, vascular dementia and even some cancers.
Within three weeks of going sober, your cholesterol levels lower, protecting both the heart and the liver.
Another positive impact sobriety has is on our brain, when it comes to both our mental health and our sleep.
We've all woken up feeling absolutely awful after a broken night of sleep following a heavy night of drinking.
And that's because drinking suppresses the deepest part of the sleep cycle, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which then has a knock-on effect on us mentally.
As Circle Group Health writes: "REM plays a massive role in your cognitive function, allowing you to process memories, make clearer decisions, and regulate your emotions.
"It also helps you feel restored and rejuvenated after a night’s sleep, which makes life generally more manageable, and everyday tasks more achievable."
You can expect better sleep within just one week of giving up alcohol.
As drinking less alcohol can have a ripple effect on your overall well-being, you might also notice your stamina and performance increase while doing exercise.
As previously mentioned, cutting back supports your heart and liver, which boosts your general health and fitness.
You may also feel more hydrated, motivated, and even lose weight, all of which can improve mobility and make exercise easier.
Since alcohol is high in calories and can disrupt digestion, reducing it often leads to weight loss, increased strength and better energy levels within weeks.
Your appearance can improve fairly quickly too.
Alcohol dehydrates the body, leaving skin looking dull and tired. When you stop drinking, your skin retains more moisture, helping it look plumper and more radiant.
You’ll also absorb key nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E more effectively, supporting skin repair and protection.
Better physical health and improved sleep can further reduce dull, tired-looking skin, helping you look and feel healthier overall.
If you've been affected by addiction and want to speak to someone in confidence, you can call American Addiction Centers on (888) 324-0595, available 24/7, or contact them through their website.