Vivian Marlowe
There is no quick way to reduce blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels in the body. Time is the only way to remove alcohol from the system. The liver needs time to filter blood and remove alcohol from the body. While certain techniques may help a person feel more awake, they will not eliminate alcohol from the blood. Sleep is the best way to help a person sober up as it allows time to pass while the body rests and recovers. Eating before and during drinking can help reduce the rate of alcohol processing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ways to sober up | Getting a good night's sleep |
| Eating before and during drinking | |
| Drinking water | |
| Exercising | |
| Carbon or charcoal capsules | |
| Diluting alcoholic drinks with carbonated water | |
| Counting drinks | |
| Slowing down | |
| Avoiding mixing drinks | |
| Factors affecting intoxication levels | Gender |
| Medications | |
| Illness | |
| Body composition | |
| Food | |
| Liver damage | |
| Age | |
| Nutrition |
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What You'll Learn
Eat and drink water before and during drinking alcohol
Eating and drinking water before and during alcohol consumption can help slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. This is because the body closes a valve at the bottom of the stomach when digestion occurs, which slows the rate at which alcohol enters the intestines and is subsequently absorbed. This is known as the pyloric valve, which separates the stomach from the small intestine. Alcohol is absorbed faster in the small intestine due to its large surface area.
Eating foods high in protein, fibre, and fats before drinking can help slow food transit the most. Examples of such foods include whole carbohydrate sources such as brown rice, pasta, and oats, as well as lean protein sources like eggs, salmon, and chicken breast. Consuming food when drinking alcohol increases the rate of alcohol elimination from the bloodstream by 25-45%.
Drinking water before and during alcohol consumption is also important. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect, and drinking water can slow this effect down. Water can also help prevent dehydration, which can lead to fatigue, dizziness, confusion, and even serious complications like urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and seizures.
It is important to note that while eating and drinking water can help slow the absorption of alcohol and reduce the risk of dehydration, they do not speed up the rate of detoxification or elimination of alcohol from the body. The liver needs time to filter the blood and remove alcohol from the system.
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Avoid carbonated alcoholic drinks
There are many misconceptions about how to reduce intoxication or blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels in the body. While certain techniques may help a person feel more awake, they will not eliminate alcohol from the blood more quickly. The liver needs time to filter blood and remove alcohol from the system. The only way to effectively avoid intoxication is to not drink alcohol or to keep alcohol intake to a minimum.
Carbonated alcoholic drinks increase the rate of alcohol absorption. The pressure inside the stomach and small intestine forces the alcohol to be absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream. Sugars and juices mixed with alcohol also speed up the absorption rate. A study by Roberts and Robertson found that carbonation increases the acidity in the stomach, and the gastric mucosa more readily absorbs it. Another study found that 20 out of 21 subjects absorbed alcohol at a faster rate when mixed with carbonated water than with still water.
To avoid increasing your BAC levels, it is best to avoid carbonated alcoholic drinks and stick to non-carbonated alternatives. If you choose to drink carbonated alcoholic beverages, be aware of the potential for faster intoxication and adjust your consumption accordingly. It is also important to note that drinking water will not speed up the process of reducing BAC levels, but it can help limit the amount of alcohol you consume.
In addition to avoiding carbonated alcoholic drinks, there are other ways to slow down the absorption of alcohol and reduce the risk of intoxication. Eating before and during drinking can help reduce the rate of alcohol processing. Food can physically obstruct alcohol from coming into contact with the stomach lining and can prevent it from passing into the small intestine, where absorption is faster. Snacking can also help maintain blood sugar levels, which can drop after consuming alcohol, leading to hunger, nausea, and hangovers.
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Avoid mixing different types of alcoholic drinks
While there is no scientific evidence that mixing alcoholic drinks directly leads to worse hangovers or sickness, it is a common piece of advice to avoid doing so. Mixing drinks can make it harder to keep track of your alcohol consumption, which is crucial for avoiding excessive drinking and its consequences.
When you mix different alcoholic drinks, you may be consuming higher amounts of congeners—chemicals in alcohol linked to hangover symptoms. Additionally, the difference in alcohol content between drinks can impair your judgment and lead to an underestimation of your alcohol intake. Mixing drinks may also increase the rate of alcohol absorption, especially when combined with carbonation, sugars, or juices. This can result in feeling and appearing intoxicated much faster.
To avoid the negative consequences of mixing alcoholic drinks, it is essential to remain mindful of your total alcohol consumption. Regardless of the type of drink, keeping track of the number of drinks and pacing yourself is vital. Ensure you eat before and during drinking, as food slows down intoxication by physically obstructing alcohol from contacting the stomach lining and delaying its entry into the small intestine.
Additionally, hydration is key. For every alcoholic drink, have a full glass of water to help limit your alcohol intake and counter its dehydrating effects. While it won't speed up detoxification, drinking water can help you feel more alert and slow down the dehydrating impact of alcohol. Finally, sleep is the best way to help your body sober up and restore its ability to process alcohol.
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Get a good night's sleep
Getting a good night's sleep is one of the best ways to help your body recover from alcohol intoxication. When you sleep, your liver has time to metabolize the alcohol in your system. However, it's important to note that simply sleeping it off can be dangerous if you've had a large amount of alcohol. Your blood alcohol level can continue to rise even after you pass out, potentially leading to alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal or cause irreversible brain damage. Therefore, it is always recommended to stop drinking and give your body time to recover, rather than trying to sleep it off immediately after consuming a large amount of alcohol.
- Drink a big glass of water before you go to sleep to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases the production of urine and can lead to dehydration. Drinking water will help replenish your body's fluids and may improve your sleep quality.
- Leave another glass of water on your nightstand and take small sips throughout the night. This will help you stay hydrated and may reduce the intensity of a hangover.
- Place a trash can, bucket, or bowl next to your bed in case you need to vomit. Alcohol can irritate the stomach and may cause nausea and vomiting, especially when consumed in excess.
- Be cautious when taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Mixing alcohol with certain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), can increase the risk of liver problems. It is generally recommended to wait at least 25 hours after your last drink before taking any OTC pain relievers.
- Create a comfortable sleeping environment. Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. Use earplugs or white noise if necessary to block out any disturbing sounds.
- Avoid caffeine before bed. Caffeine can disrupt your sleep and make it harder to fall asleep or maintain a restful sleep throughout the night.
While getting a good night's sleep is beneficial, it's important to remember that time is the only true solution to sobering up. Your liver needs time to process and eliminate alcohol from your system. On average, alcohol leaves the body at a rate of 0.015 g/100mL/hour, which equates to reducing your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by 0.015 per hour. This means that it takes about an hour per standard drink for your body to metabolize and eliminate the alcohol.
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Time is the only solution
While certain techniques may help a person feel more awake, they will not eliminate alcohol from the blood or lower the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. For example, caffeine may help a person feel more alert, but it does not break down alcohol in the body and can give a false sense of sobriety. Similarly, a cold shower may make a person more alert, but it does not lower BAC levels. Exercise can also help wake up the body and make a person more alert, but there is no strong evidence that it helps metabolise alcohol any quicker.
The best way to sober up is to get a good night's sleep. This allows the liver time to metabolise all the alcohol in the system. However, sleep may be fragmented and disturbed after drinking. Drinking water before and during alcohol consumption can help limit the amount of alcohol consumed and counteract its dehydrating effects. Eating before and during drinking can also help reduce the rate of alcohol processing.
It is important to note that there is no quick fix to sober up. Time is the only solution, and the body needs time to eliminate alcohol from the system.
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Frequently asked questions
The only way to remove alcohol from your body is to give your liver enough time to metabolize it. On average, the liver can metabolize about one ounce of alcohol per hour. There is no way to speed up this process.
While there is no way to speed up the rate of detoxification, you can take steps to feel more alert and reduce how much alcohol your body absorbs. Eating before and during drinking can help reduce the rate of alcohol processing. Drinking water can also slow down the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
Common misconceptions include taking cold showers, drinking coffee, or exercising to sober up faster. While these activities may help you feel more alert, they do not eliminate alcohol from your blood and will not lower your BAC level.
