127 Before-And-After Pics Show What Happens When You Stop Drinking

"Everything in moderation" is a pretty good rule to live by, especially where alcohol is concerned.

The obvious effects of alcohol on the body include high blood pressure, liver damage, and increased risk of certain cancers, but one of the less-discussed side effects is weight gain.

There are roughly 200 calories in a pint of beer and about 230 calories in 100 grams of vodka, and those add up fast.

When a heavy drinker quits, the physical transformation can be staggering. The before-and-after photos in this collection show people who are barely recognizable compared to their former selves.

Some complemented sobriety with exercise, but many saw dramatic changes from cutting alcohol alone.

It's a reminder that the body is remarkably responsive to what we put into it, or stop putting into it. That same principle is at the center of a very different conversation happening right now: the visible, sometimes dramatic physical changes documented in celebrities who've used Ozempic, where rapid weight loss is raising questions about what "healthy transformation" actually looks like.

But first, the sobriety glow-ups. Take a look.

A year of sobriety brings real, visible changes. If you've ever seen photos of alcoholics before and after quitting, the pattern is consistent: clearer skin, reduced bloating, and faces that simply look healthier.

The benefits are real, but so are the struggles of withdrawal. Read on for both sides of the story.