How to Sober Up Quickly

You've had one too many drinks, and now you're looking to sober up quickly. This is a scenario many people find themselves in. There are numerous methods that people claim are 'cures' for hangovers, but do they actually work? In this article, we'll debunk some of the most common myths about how to sober up fast and discuss the methods that genuinely help you feel better and recover more quickly.

Fact: Caffeine might make you feel more alert, but it doesn't actually help you sober up. When you drink alcohol, the alcohol enters your bloodstream and causes intoxication. Coffee doesn't lower your blood alcohol concentration, so it won't reduce your drunkenness. You may feel more awake after drinking coffee, but it won't make you less drunk or less tired.

• Drinking coffee or caffeinated beverages won't make you safer to drive after drinking, even if you feel less drunk.

Fact: Once alcohol is in your bloodstream, eating won't make any difference. While it's true that eating before or during drinking can reduce the amount of alcohol your body absorbs, which can help you feel less drunk, eating after the alcohol has already been absorbed into your system won't speed up the sobering process. Food doesn't help your body process the alcohol you've consumed.

• You will get drunk faster if you drink on an empty stomach. Eating before or while drinking is always a good idea.

Fact: A cold shower does nothing to reduce your drunkenness. Some people recommend taking a cold shower to sober up, but in reality, cold water has no effect on the amount of alcohol in your system. While it might make you feel momentarily more awake, you're still drunk.

Fact: Vomiting does not reduce the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. Once you start feeling the effects of alcohol, it means it's already entered your bloodstream. Vomiting only clears food from your stomach and does not expel alcohol that has already been absorbed into your system.

Fact: Alcohol stays in your bloodstream, not in your sweat. Going to the gym, jogging, or walking a long distance won't reduce the amount of alcohol in your blood. Exercising can also be dangerous when you're drunk and can cause further dehydration.

It takes our body about one hour to process one unit of alcohol. The only way to reduce intoxication and fatigue is to give your body time to process the alcohol. Allow your body the time it needs to break down the alcohol.

• Getting a good night's sleep or simply waiting for the alcohol to wear off is the best approach. However, if you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from alcohol poisoning (symptoms include vomiting, seizures, confusion, slow or irregular breathing, hypothermia, and/or pale or clammy skin), do not wait or fall asleep. Call emergency services immediately.
• Drink water while you wait to help rehydrate your body. Water does not speed up sobriety, but it helps prevent dehydration caused by alcohol.
• If you're feeling tired the next day, you can take pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Avoid any medication containing acetaminophen (like Tylenol) as it can damage your liver if alcohol is still in your system.