Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the United States. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 80% of people aged 12 or older have used alcohol at some point in their lives.[1]
If you consumed a lot of alcohol at once and got drunk only to find out that you have an unexpected responsibility or task to take care of, you might be wondering how to sober up quickly. While there is no magic solution to get alcohol out of your system faster, there are a few tips you can use to feel a bit more clear-headed.
Some people begin to feel less drunk when they drink lots of water, take a cold shower, get some fresh air, take deep breaths, or drink coffee. That said, it is important to note that while you feel more clear-headed, you are still intoxicated. Using these tips will not mean it is safe to drive.
There are also a few myths about sobering up faster. Some individuals believe that if they sleep, vomit, or sweat a lot, the alcohol will leave their system faster. Unfortunately, this is not true, and the only way to get alcohol out of your body is to wait for the metabolic process to take place.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is the half-life of alcohol?
- How does alcohol metabolism work?
- Tips for feeling less drunk
What is Alcohol’s Half-Life?
The half-life of a substance explains how long it takes your body to eliminate half of what you consumed. It can take 4 to 5 half-lives for a substance to leave your body.
It takes about 60 to 90 minutes for alcohol to reach peak concentration in your body. The half-life is between 4 and 5 hours.[2] This means it could take 16 to 25 hours for alcohol to leave your system.
Some factors play a role in how fast alcohol leaves your system, including:
- Amount Consumed- Someone who has 6 drinks will have alcohol in their system longer than a person who only had 2.
- Liver Function- Healthy livers metabolize alcohol faster. If you have liver damage or another condition, it might take your body longer to rid itself of alcohol.
- Body Weight- It takes larger individuals longer to metabolize alcohol.
- Biological Sex- In general, females metabolize alcohol more slowly than males.
Because factors like how much alcohol you drink can play a role in how long it stays in your system, you should be careful not to drink too much. If you have a hard time controlling how much alcohol you drink, you could have an alcohol use disorder. At New You Sober Living, we can connect you with a highly-rated alcohol rehab program.
Understanding Alcohol Metabolism
When you drink alcohol, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can tell you how intoxicated you are. For example, it is illegal to drive a car once you’ve reached a BAC of 0.08% or higher, which translates to 3 to 4 standard drinks for a female. If you drink on an empty stomach, you might reach the legal limit faster.
The alcohol metabolism process occurs in stages. The first thing that happens when you drink is that the alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. Eventually, the alcohol will travel through your system until it reaches your liver.
Once in your liver, alcohol will be broken down into acetaldehyde. Because this substance is toxic, your liver will break it down further into a substance called acetate. From there, the acetate will be turned into carbon dioxide and water.
Once alcohol has been turned into carbon dioxide and water, your body will eliminate alcohol via urine.
How to Sober Up Fast
The best way to sober up fast is to limit yourself to 1 or 2 standard drinks. Doing this will prevent you from reaching a high level of intoxication and make it easier for your body to eliminate alcohol quickly. That said, sometimes you don’t realize how drunk you are until it’s too late.
If you accidentally drank too much alcohol and want to feel less intoxicated, try these tips:
Drink Water and Eat
One of the ways that alcohol makes you feel intoxicated is by dehydrating the body. While drinking water won’t flush the alcohol out of your system faster, it can make you feel more alert. The ideal way to drink alcohol is to have one glass of water between each alcoholic beverage; however, if you are catching up after the fact, start with one glass at a time.
Food can slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. If you eat soon after drinking alcohol, you might be able to lessen the impact of the effects you’ll experience. Foods like eggs, toast, or cheese can be gentle on your stomach while providing the nutrients you need to stabilize your energy levels.
Get Some Fresh Air
Alcohol metabolism is a natural process that you can’t rush. The average person will be drunk until they wake up the next day with a hangover. That said, there are ways to make yourself feel less drunk in the meantime, like getting some fresh air.
While getting fresh air, you should exercise a bit. This will get your blood flowing and help you feel more alert. That said, it will not completely rid your body of alcohol, so you should never attempt to drive a car.
Take a Cold Shower
One of the common myths about sobering up faster is that a cold shower will make you sober. While it can make you feel less drunk, you’ll still have a high blood alcohol concentration. That means even if your cold shower makes you feel better, you shouldn’t drive yet.
Cold water can help you feel more awake for a few minutes. If you are taking a cold shower while drunk so you can sober up to see your parents, you might need to return to the bathroom a few times to keep splashing water on your face.
Take Deep Breaths
Alcohol sometimes makes your breathing shallow, which can cause you to feel dizzy. If you are trying to overcome the spins, you should engage in deep breathing. Consider using deep breathing exercises like box breathing or mindfulness techniques.
Drink Caffeine
While drinking caffeine to become sober is a common myth, it can make you feel a bit better. Coffee won’t magically rid your body of alcohol. However, it will make you feel more alert, allowing you to care for whatever responsibility you need to handle.
Get Connected to an Alcohol Rehab Center
Before drinking, you should plan ahead. Make sure to avoid intoxication if you have to drive your friends home. While having one drink isn’t a big deal, you’ll want to avoid engaging in binge drinking.
In between alcoholic beverages, drink plenty of water. Several factors can play a role in how intoxicated you become, including how much food you’ve eaten. Because alcohol stays in your system for several hours, you should avoid driving or engaging in any activity that puts you in a dangerous position.
If you are addicted to alcohol, you will experience withdrawal symptoms once you stop drinking. To regain control over your life, you should attend a medically supervised detox center. Medical detox programs can help you begin the recovery process and increase your overall health.
After medical detox, you should attend an alcohol rehab program. At New You Sober Living, we can connect you with a reputable alcohol use disorder treatment center. Contact us today for more information.
References:
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol Use in the United States
- Science Direct: Alcohol Metabolism
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