How to Sober Up Fast: Common Myths Debunked

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posted on 11 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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You had a little too much to drink and now you need to sober up fast. We’ve all been there. There are a lot of supposed “cures” out there that people claim will help you sober up quickly, but do any of them really work? In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most common myths about sobering up quickly and explain what will actually help you sober up and start feeling better.

Steps

Myth: Coffee will help you sober up.

Fact: Caffeine might make you feel more alert, but it won’t sober you up. When you drink alcohol, it absorbs into your bloodstream and makes you feel intoxicated. Drinking coffee doesn’t actually lower the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream, and therefore it won't make you any less drunk. You might feel more awake after drinking some, but you won’t be any less intoxicated or impaired. Drinking coffee or caffeinated beverages won’t make it safer to drive after you’ve been drinking, even if you feel like you’re less drunk.

Myth: Eating food after drinking will make you more sober.

Fact: Once alcohol is in your bloodstream, eating doesn’t have any effect. It’s true that eating before or while you’re drinking alcohol can reduce how much alcohol your body absorbs, making you less drunk. Unfortunately, eating after the alcohol has already been absorbed into your bloodstream won’t help you sober up any faster. Food can’t help your body process absorbed alcohol. Drinking on an empty stomach can cause you to get drunk faster. It's always a good idea to eat a meal before or while you're drinking.

Myth: A cold shower can help you sober up.

Fact: Cold showers don’t have an effect on how intoxicated you are. Some people recommend taking a cold shower when you’re drunk to sober up, but a cold shower won’t do anything to lower the amount of alcohol in your system. It might make you feel more alert temporarily, but you’ll still be just as impaired.

Myth: Vomiting will get the alcohol out of your system.

Fact: Vomiting won’t reduce the alcohol already in your bloodstream. Once you’re feeling the effects of the alcohol you’ve been drinking, that means it’s already absorbed into your bloodstream. Throwing up only gets rid of whatever is in your stomach, not what’s already been absorbed by your body.

Myth: Working out will help you “sweat out” the alcohol.

Fact: Alcohol is in your blood, not in your sweat. Hitting the gym, going for a run, or taking a long walk won’t lower the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. Working out can also be dangerous when you’re impaired and make you more dehydrated.

Bottom line: Only time will help you sober up.

It takes about an hour for your body to process 1 drink. Giving your body time to process the alcohol you consumed is the only way you can become less intoxicated and impaired. Give your body the time it needs to sober up. Getting a good night’s sleep or simply waiting for the effects of the alcohol to wear off is your best bet. However, if you’re worried that you or someone you know has alcohol poisoning (symptoms include vomiting, seizures, confusion, slow and irregular breathing, hypothermia, and/or blue skin and paleness), don’t wait or try to sleep it off. Call emergency services right away. Drink water in the meantime to stay hydrated. Water won’t sober you up faster, but it will help prevent dehydration from the alcohol. Take an OTC pain reliever if you're hungover the next day, like aspirin, ibuprofen, or another NSAID. Avoid taking anything with acetaminophen in it, like Tylenol, since it can damage your liver if there's still alcohol in your system.