If you’re looking for the most effective ways to “sober up,” you may already be in a scenario where you have had too many alcoholic drinks and need to restore control and concentration swiftly.
However, methods claiming to assist you sober up are ineffective since they do not affect your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) amount in your system.
To be clear, there is no scientific method to sober up rapidly, but there are some tips to help you appear more sober quickly. Continue reading the article to learn a few tips for sobering up fast.
Key Takeaways
There is not much a person can do to quickly lower BAC levels in the body. With that being said, there are always a few options a person has to appear more sober. Below are key points that will be discussed in this post:
- Limiting your alcohol intake and not exceeding your body’s natural detox process are the healthiest ways to sober up.
- Alcohol abuse and other drugs affect people differently, and the length of time it takes to recover is based on your body and usage history.
- You can’t force yourself to sober up any faster; giving yourself time is the best way.
- There are different ways that can help you become sober quickly and safely at home.
If you or someone you know suffers from alcohol addiction, get professional help from The Haven Detox-South Florida. Contact us at (561) 328 – 8627 and treat your addiction now.
Why Sobering up is Important
Before sobering up, you need to understand why sobering up is essential. Understanding this will help you sober up effectively. Too much alcohol consumption may sometimes lead to poor judgment. If you’ve had too much to drink, you should rest before making any mistakes you regret later.
- Sobering up helps you to make more informed judgments. Sobriety allows you to think more logically and make better decisions. This is essential in all parts of life, including business and personal relationships.
- Being sober allows you to be more conscious of your surroundings and how much you consume alcohol, which is very important in social circumstances.
- Sobering up allows you to get control of your emotions. You can better manage your feelings while you’re sober. This can aid in the management of stress and anxiety.
- Being sober also allows you to be more present. Getting sober keeps you from getting distracted by booze. This will enable you to be more aware and focused on the current moment.
Signs You Need to Sober Up
Most of the time, you’ll know if you’re too influenced by alcohol. If you’re unsure where to draw the line, there are a few tell-tale symptoms to look out for. You may want to reduce your consumption if you feel:
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Panic attacks
- Excessive sweat due to paranoia
Drink Water
Taking water in between alcohol may give your body extra time to process the alcohol. It will not, however, “dilute” the alcohol in your system.
If you consume five beers, whether you take a cup of water afterward, your blood alcohol content will be the same. On the other hand, water hydrates you, making it essential for hangover recovery.
Moreover, water may be just as effective at cleansing a boozy head as it is at quenching thirst. “Alcohol lowers the water level in the body, which promotes a lot of the side effects of alcohol,” stated by Zehra Siddiqui, DO, medical director of Ryan Chlesea-Clinton, a Ryan Health-affiliated independent health facility in New York City that serves marginalized communities. “It also helps to dilute the alcohol.”
Go for a Walk
If you can’t seem to turn your thoughts off, a change of environment and some clean and fresh air to get your pulse circulating will assist. Remember to keep close to your natural neighborhood and bring a friend.
You may want to avoid getting lost while feeling uncomfortable and suspicious. Also, if you’re feeling too wobbly or light-headed to stand, avoid going for a stroll and instead lie down for a time.
Eat Something
Contrary to common perception, eating pretzels and bar nuts will not help you become drunk. A late-night Taco Bell feast will not help.
Greasy, carb-laden intoxicated food tastes excellent and may briefly make you feel better, but it will not help you recover once the harm has been done.
Eating a meal high in fat and carbs before a night of drinking may decrease your body’s ability to absorb alcohol. However, eating after drinking will not reduce your BAC.
Drink Coffee
Alcohol is a depressant that causes drowsiness. On the other hand, coffee is a stimulant that gets you going.
This frequently causes individuals to believe that a cup of coffee would “balance” the alcohol in their body system. However, coffee, or any caffeine, does not cause your liver to digest alcohol more quickly.
In fact, combining coffee and alcohol can put your heart under potentially catastrophic strain.
Take Enzyme Medication
A UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science team developed one that includes oxidase to dissolve alcohol and another enzyme to clean up the poisonous waste produced by oxidase.
The discovery, published in Nature Nanotechnology, reveals that the capsule processes alcohol in the same way as the liver does. “With additional investigation,” study author Yunfeng Lu, Ph.D., a lecturer of chemical and biomolecular engineering, states in a press release. In 4 hours, the therapy reduced blood alcohol levels in mice by 45 percent, according to Lu.
Cold Shower
Many claim that having a cold shower is an efficient technique to wake up or sober up. It cannot, however, undo the consequences of drinking. It can even be detrimental.
It is possible for some people under the influence of alcohol to lose consciousness due to the impact of a cold shower. Taking a shower in cold water can reduce a woman’s body temperature to hypothermia if they are struggling with alcohol poisoning. Avoid taking a cold shower while drunk if you are alone with no one to help in an emergency.
Give Yourself Time
One drink takes your body around an hour to digest. The only way to get less inebriated and impaired is to give your body time to absorb the alcohol you ingest. Allow your body the time it requires to recover.
- Your best chance is to get a good night’s sleep or wait for the effects of the alcohol to fade off. If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol poisoning (withdrawal symptoms include vomiting, convulsions, disorientation, slow and uneven breathing, coldness, and/or blue skin and pale skin), don’t wait or attempt to sleep it off. Immediately contact emergency services.
- In the meanwhile, drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Water will not help you become drunker faster, but it will assist in avoiding dehydration from the booze.
- If you’re drunk the next day, use an over-the-counter pain treatment such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or the other NSAID. Avoid taking anything containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, because it might harm your liver if you still have alcohol in your body system.
Sobering Up Naturally
It might require a minimum of 12 hours after the last drink to sober up on your own. However, based on the individual and the amount of serving of alcohol, this may take longer.
Every hour, the liver degrades one ordinary drink. A typical cocktail is:
- 12 oz. of 5 percent alcohol beer
- 5 oz. wine with a 12.5% alcohol content
- 8 fl oz malt liquor (8 percent alcohol)
- 1.5 fl oz of 40% alcoholic distilled spirit
Moreover, if you drink more, alcohol will stay in your system for a more extended period of time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to sober up fast?
Everyone’s rate of alcohol removal differs. However, the typical liver can metabolize one unit of alcohol every hour. This indicates that drinking 12 units will take 12 hours to completely sober.Many people who begin drinking do not do it to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD). What starts as moderate or occasional excessive alcohol absorption or heavy drinking episodes frequently develops into a deadly habit.
Alcohol intoxication happens when a person drinks heavily. The liver can only process roughly 1-2 standard drinks each hour. Anything beyond this level considerably raises a person’s blood alcohol level in the body.
How do I feel less drunk?
You can avoid getting intoxicated by spacing out your drinks. Try waiting for a set period of time (say, an hour) between drinks and ensuring the time has gone before ordering another.Have you recently purchased a delicious craft beer? Slowly sip it to enjoy it more. That way, you’ll have more fun and get more value for your money. Switching between liquor and water or soft drinks (and consuming the alcoholic ones gradually) can also assist.
How to sober up in less than one hour when I’m drunk?
The “typical” human liver can eliminate roughly one standard alcoholic drink (1.5 oz alcohol) each hour from your body. So, if you’ve had enough to get “truly drunk” (say, four or five drinks), it will take 4 or 5 hours to clear your system.Drinking water between alcoholic beverages may give your body extra time to process the alcohol. As you may be aware, alcohol is a depressant that causes drowsiness. Caffeine, on the other hand, is a stimulant that rapidly makes you feel sober.
Find Treatment for Alcohol Addiction at The Haven Detox-South Florida
If you or your beloved one is suffering from alcohol addiction speak to a doctor at The Haven Detox-South Florida.
Our medical team understands that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to addiction. They offer a tailored solution by assessing your physical and mental health condition.
We have multiple addiction treatment plans, including inpatient programs, outpatient treatment, detox, and many more.
To live a sober life, contact us at (561) 328 – 8627 and learn more about our treatment options.
