Eliminating alcohol consumption produces measurable physiological improvements within weeks, with cardiovascular markers showing the most dramatic changes. Blood pressure drops significantly within 2-3 weeks of cessation, while liver enzymes normalize within a month for moderate drinkers. Sleep architecture improves substantially, with REM sleep increasing by 20-30% and deep sleep phases extending noticeably. These findings challenge the persistent "moderate drinking" narrative that has dominated health discourse for decades. The cardiovascular benefits appear regardless of previous consumption levels, contradicting earlier research suggesting protective effects of light wine consumption. Neurologically, alcohol cessation enhances cognitive flexibility and working memory within 4-6 weeks, likely due to restored neurotransmitter balance and reduced neuroinflammation. The rapid timeline of these benefits suggests that even short-term abstinence periods could serve as powerful health interventions. For health-conscious adults, this research reinforces that alcohol's risks consistently outweigh any purported benefits across all consumption levels. The speed of physiological recovery indicates that the body's repair mechanisms respond immediately to removing this chronic stressor, making cessation one of the most impactful lifestyle modifications for healthspan optimization.