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.

1

Myth: Coffee will help you sober up.

  1. 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.[1]
    • 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.
2

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

  1. 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.[2] 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.[3]
    • 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.
6

Bottom line: Only time will help you sober up.

  1. 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.[6]
    • 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.[7] 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.[8]

Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    How can I stay sober long term?
    Tiffany Douglass, MA
    Tiffany Douglass, MA
    Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center
    Tiffany Douglass is the Founder of Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, a JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accredited drug and alcohol treatment program based in San Jose, California. She is also the Executive Director for Midland Tennessee at JourneyPure. She has over ten years of experience in substance abuse treatment and was appointed a Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2019 for her efforts in residential addiction treatment. Tiffany earned a BA in Psychology from Emory University in 2004 and an MA in Psychology with an emphasis on Organization Behavior and Program Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University in 2006.
    Tiffany Douglass, MA
    Founder, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    Try to get involved in a community you enjoy to help keep you busy and build a support system. You should also consider seeing a therapist. Therapy can help you understand why you drink, and then you can make changes to your life to break bad habits.

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About This Article

Murphy Perng
Co-authored by:
Certified Wine Consultant
This article was co-authored by Murphy Perng. Murphy Perng is a Wine Consultant and the Founder and Host of Matter of Wine, a business that produces educational wine events, including team-building experiences, networking events, and private parties. Based in Los Angeles, California, Murphy has served as a Wine Educator for clients such as Google, Buzzfeed, Tiktok, Snapchat, and Equinox and been featured on National Geographic and The Somm Journal. Murphy possesses her WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 3 Advanced Certification. This article has been viewed 2,970,820 times.
10 votes - 60%
Co-authors: 27
Updated: December 14, 2022
Views: 2,970,820
Categories: Alcohol Intoxication
Article SummaryX

If you need to sober up fast, stop drinking alcohol immediately, since it takes your body an hour to process each drink you’ve had. You should also drink a glass of water for every drink you’ve had to dilute the alcohol. To combat the alcohol's effects, eat some light snacks, like peanuts or crackers. Once you’ve got food and water in your system, take a 30-minute nap, since rest is crucial when you need to sober up. Remember to avoid common mistakes when trying to feel sober, like taking a cold shower or drinking coffee, because these methods may make you feel more alert but won’t reduce the effects of alcohol. For tips on how to prepare for a night of drinking beforehand, read on!

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