Lena Savoie
It is impossible to sober up quickly from alcohol. Time is the only solution. The liver breaks down alcohol at a steady rate of about one standard drink per hour, and there is nothing you can do to speed this up. However, there are some things you can do to feel more alert and appear more sober. Drinking water can help alleviate symptoms like headaches and fatigue, and caffeine and exercise can also make you feel more awake. Eating before and while drinking can slow alcohol absorption, and getting a good night's sleep allows your liver time to metabolize the alcohol in your system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to sober up | Depends on the amount of alcohol consumed, the liver can metabolize one drink in about one to two hours |
| Ways to feel more alert | Caffeine, cold showers, exercise |
| Preventative measures | Eat before and while drinking, drink water, pace yourself to one drink per hour |
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What You'll Learn
There is no quick fix to sobering up
The liver is the primary organ responsible for eliminating alcohol from the body, and it needs time to filter the blood and break down the alcohol. The liver can only process about one drink per hour, so the more you drink, the longer it will take for the alcohol to leave your system. Before you can sober up, your liver has to break down all the alcohol in your body.
While there is no quick fix to sobering up, there are some things you can do to help the process along. Getting a good night's sleep is crucial, as it gives your liver time to metabolize the alcohol in your system. Drinking water can also help, as it hydrates your body and dilutes the alcohol in your system. Eating before, during, and after drinking can also slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
It's important to avoid caffeine and energy drinks, as they can make you feel more alert but do not speed up the metabolism of alcohol. In fact, they can be dangerous because they may trick you into thinking you're sober when you're not, leading to impaired judgment and increased risk of injury. Similarly, while a cold shower may make you feel more alert, it does not lower your BAC level.
Exercising can help wake up your body and make you feel more alert, but there is no strong evidence that it helps metabolize alcohol quicker. Carbon or charcoal capsules, available at health food stores, have also been suggested as a way to sober up, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
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Eat and drink water before, during and after drinking alcohol
While there is no quick way to sober up from alcohol, eating and drinking water before, during, and after drinking can help slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Here are some tips to help you manage your alcohol consumption and mitigate its effects:
Before Drinking
Eating before drinking can help slow down the rate of alcohol absorption in your body. Foods that may help slow digestion include whole carbohydrate sources, such as brown rice, pasta, and oats, as well as lean protein sources like eggs, salmon, and chicken breast. It is important to avoid salty foods as they can contribute to dehydration. Drinking water before consuming alcohol is also recommended to ensure you are well-hydrated.
During Drinking
It is advisable to eat and drink water while drinking alcohol. Alternating alcoholic beverages with water can help you stay hydrated. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it promotes water loss through urination. Additionally, keeping track of the number of drinks you've had can help you avoid getting drunk.
After Drinking
Drinking a large glass of water before going to bed can help counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Leaving another glass of water on your nightstand is also a good idea, so you can take sips whenever you wake up. While drinking water after consuming alcohol won't speed up the elimination of alcohol from your system, it can help alleviate symptoms of dehydration, such as headaches and fatigue.
Remember, the only true remedy for sobering up is time. The liver needs time to metabolize and break down the alcohol in your system. The average liver in a healthy adult metabolizes one drink in approximately two hours. During sleep, your liver will continue to break down the alcohol, but alcohol levels can continue to rise, potentially leading to alcohol poisoning. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of your alcohol consumption and give your body the time it needs to process it.
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Avoid caffeine and cold showers
While it is impossible to sober up quickly, there are some things you can do to avoid getting drunk in the first place. Firstly, keeping track of how many drinks you've had can help you avoid getting drunk. You can do this by putting the caps from your empty beers in your pocket, carrying a pen and marking check marks on your hand, or using a drinking tracker app.
However, if you are already drunk, it is important to avoid caffeine and cold showers. Caffeine is a stimulant that can make you feel more awake, even when you're intoxicated. While caffeine may make you feel more alert, it does not break down alcohol in the body or speed up its metabolism. In fact, drinking caffeine can be dangerous because it may trick you into thinking you're sober, leading to accidental injuries or putting yourself and others at risk, for example, by driving drunk. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid mixing alcohol and caffeine.
Similarly, taking a cold shower when drunk is not an effective way to sober up. Although it may make you feel more alert for a short period, it will not reverse the effects of alcohol or lower your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels. Therefore, while a cold shower may make you feel more awake, you are still impaired.
Instead of relying on caffeine or cold showers, it is best to get a good night's sleep to allow your body to process the alcohol. Drinking a glass of water before bed and keeping another glass of water nearby can also help counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
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Exercise and sleep can help you feel more alert
While it is impossible to sober up quickly, exercise and sleep can help you feel more alert.
Exercise
Exercise can help wake up the body and make a person more alert. However, there is no strong evidence that exercise helps metabolize alcohol quicker. Nevertheless, while it won't help to sober a person up, they may become more aware after exercising.
Sleep
Sleep is the best way to help a person sober up. It allows time to pass while the body rests and recovers. Sleep also helps restore the body's ability to get alcohol out of the system. The more sleep a person gets, the more sober they will feel, as it gives the liver time to metabolize the alcohol.
However, it's important to note that alcohol levels can continue to rise during sleep and lead to alcohol poisoning if a person is still drinking in excess until they fall asleep. Therefore, the most effective way to sober up from excess alcohol drinking is to allow plenty of time, rest, and sleep.
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Seek professional help if you frequently need to sober up
While there are some tips and tricks to help you sober up before bed, such as drinking water and getting a good night's sleep, the only true remedy is time. If you frequently need to sober up quickly, it may be a sign of a more serious issue. Alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism, is a common medical condition in which people are unable to stop drinking, even when it negatively impacts their health, safety, and personal relationships.
If you frequently need to sober up quickly, it may be a sign that you are drinking more than is recommended. The UK Chief Medical Officers' guidelines advise drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, having several drink-free days, and avoiding binge drinking. If you are regularly exceeding these guidelines, it may be a sign that you need to cut back or seek professional help.
Some signs that you may have alcohol use disorder include impaired control over alcohol use, giving priority to drinking over other activities or obligations, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut down or stop drinking, and an increased tolerance to alcohol. If you exhibit any of these signs, it is important to talk to a doctor or seek support from a 12-step program or therapist.
Treatment for alcohol use disorder typically includes medication and behavioural therapy. It is important to speak to a healthcare professional before stopping drinking, as sudden cessation can lead to severe alcohol withdrawal, known as delirium tremens (DT). This can cause serious medical issues such as seizures and hallucinations that require immediate medical care.
If you are concerned about your drinking or the drinking of someone you know, it is important to seek help. Talk to a doctor or reach out to alcohol support services in your area. There are also confidential support lines available if you need someone to talk to. Remember, seeking professional help is a sign of strength and can be the first step towards improving your health and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
It is impossible to sober up quickly. Time is the only way to lower your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). However, drinking a large glass of water before bed can help rehydrate your body and make you feel better.
On average, it takes the liver of a healthy adult about two hours to metabolize one standard drink. However, this can vary depending on factors like sex, body weight, and whether you had something to eat before drinking.
Keep track of how many drinks you've had. A standard drink is one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of table wine, or one 1.5-ounce shot of distilled spirits. Alternating alcoholic drinks with water can also help.
Alcohol intoxication can impair coordination, decision-making, and impulse control. You may also experience dehydration, headaches, and fatigue.
Contact emergency services immediately. Some signs of alcohol poisoning include unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, and seizures.
