With abstinence from alcohol, left ventricular systolic and diastolic function often improves. The earlier in the course of ethanol consumption that abstinence is initiated, the more pronounced the benefit. Even subjects with markedly symptomatic ethanol induced dilated cardiomyopathy, may manifest a substantial improvement in left ventricular systolic function and symptoms of heart failure with complete abstinence or a dramatic reduction in ethanol consumption. Although most of this improvement occurs in the first 6 months of abstinence, it often continues for as long as 2 years of observation.