Myths About Drinking: Can You Sober Up From Alcohol in 30 Minutes?
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We’ve all been there: a strong cocktail snuck up on us, we drank too much too fast, or maybe we simply had one drink too many. We’re now intoxicated and looking for a way to sober up — fast. But is this even possible? Can we sober up from alcohol in 30 minutes? And if so, how?
We hate to break it to you, but if you’re wondering how to get sober fast, you simply can’t. We know, we know: the internet is filled with tips, tricks, and secret recipes on how to sober up from alcohol in 30 minutes. But the truth is that this is actually impossible to do. The fastest way to sober up from alcohol is to stop drinking and allow time to pass.
However, we can do certain things to feel more alert and aware. We’ll explore some of these in greater detail below.
Why can’t we sober up from alcohol fast? It all comes down to how our body processes alcohol.
When alcohol enters our stomach, it’s quickly absorbed into our bloodstream through our stomach lining and small intestine. We typically begin to feel the effects of alcohol within 15 minutes of drinking. Once in our blood, alcohol is rapidly transported throughout our entire body, which is why it affects so many different bodily systems.
Most of the alcohol that enters our body eventually ends up in the liver, which is responsible for metabolizing it, breaking it down. This process is probably more time-consuming than we think: it takes about 1 hour or longer for our liver to process just one serving of alcohol out of our system. In other words, it takes 1 hour for our body to metabolize just one beer, one glass of wine, or one shot. The more servings we consume, the more time our body needs.
Besides how much alcohol we consume, other factors affect how long it takes for alcohol to process through our system.
Medications known to interact with alcohol include anti-anxiety medications like Xanax, ADHD medications like Adderall, diabetes medications, such as chlorpropamide, and cough and cold medicines.
Interestingly, alcohol can show up in a blood test for up to 12 hours. It can also be detected in our urine for up to 72 hours and in our hair for up to 90 days. This doesn’t mean we aren’t sober during these times, it just means that traces of alcohol remain in our system much longer than we might expect.
Although we can’t sober up from alcohol quickly, we can do some things to help feel more alert and to increase our awareness. It’s worth repeating, however, that none of these things will eliminate alcohol from our blood or lower our BAC: only time can do that.
Here are some things that can help us feel more alert and aware:
Even if we can improve our alertness and awareness, it’s important not to drive or make important decisions until alcohol is fully out of our system. This can take at least several hours, depending on how much we’ve consumed.
We’ll never have to worry about sobering up if we avoid alcohol or consume it in moderation. Moderation management and mindful drinking can be particularly effective at helping us make more intentional choices. Here are some other tips for avoiding intoxication:
If you’re looking to cut back on your alcohol consumption but not sure where to start, Reframe can help. We’ve helped millions of people not only change their relationship with alcohol, but establish healthier lifestyle habits that lead to improved wellness.
1. Can you sober up from alcohol in 30 minutes?
If you’re wondering how to sober up fast, you can’t. It’s impossible to sober up from alcohol quickly. The fastest way to sober up from alcohol is to stop drinking and allow time to pass.
2. Why is it impossible to sober up from alcohol quickly?
It’s impossible to sober up from alcohol quickly because your body needs time to process the alcohol out of your system. It takes about 1 hour or longer for your liver to process just one serving of alcohol (one beer, one glass of wine, one shot).
3. Do some of us process alcohol faster than others?
Your age, weight, sex, the amount of food you’ve eaten, and any medications you’re taking can all influence how long it takes for alcohol to process through your system.
4. How can you feel more awake and alert after drinking?
Drinking a cup of coffee, taking a cold shower, eating food, drinking water, and sleeping can help you feel more alert and awake. But again, none of these things can help you sober up quickly: only time does that.
5. How can you avoid getting intoxicated in the first place?
You can avoid intoxication by drinking slowly, limiting yourself to one drink per hour, not mixing your drinks, hydrating with water, and eating food while you drink. Practicing mindful drinking can be particularly effective.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
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