Getting sober takes time. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts or simple methods to sober up quickly. If you've had a party night with friends or are trying to quit the habit of alcohol, don't rely on myths that just taking a cold shower or drinking a cup of hot coffee will make you sober up quickly. The only concrete way to get sober is to give your body time to process the alcohol; the best thing you can do then is to help him at this stage.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Taking the Necessary Steps to Get Back Sober
Step 1. Stop drinking alcohol
If you want to sober up, the first thing to do (if you haven't already) is to stop consuming alcohol. The body takes about an hour to metabolize each drink, so until you stop drinking, you have no chance of being sober. In simple terms, the sooner you stop drinking alcohol, the sooner you will be able to sober up.
- If you are still away from home but are determined to get sober, put aside alcoholic beverages and start drinking water to rehydrate your body.
- By starting to drink water while you are still away from home, chances are you will be able to reduce your hangover as well.
Step 2. Eat something
Stopping for a sandwich on the way home won't have a significant effect on your attempts to get sober. However, according to experts, when you drink on an empty stomach, your body takes up to 45% longer to work off the alcohol.
- According to some researchers, the liver's task of digesting and eliminating alcohol is less burdensome if you've eaten, as blood flow to the organ is greater.
- It should be emphasized that drinking on a full stomach simply slows down, does not prevent, the entry of alcohol into the bloodstream.
Step 3. Get some fructose
When bats eat fermented fruit they can get drunk from the alcohol present. Scientists who have studied this phenomenon have found that bats that ingest fructose after eating fermented fruit come back sober faster than those who consume foods rich in sucrose or glucose. The effect is not directly translatable on the human body, but it is still worth trying to sober up quickly with the help of fructose.
- Honey and fruit have a high fructose content.
- Not only fresh fruit, but also dehydrated fruit is rich in fructose.
Step 4. Get sober faster with vitamins
Alcohol reduces the concentration of vitamins in the body. In particular, the levels of magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin B-12 are reduced after the consumption of alcoholic beverages. One of the solutions to counter this effect, in an attempt to soothe the hangover, is to take more of it. The most effective method of getting vitamins into the blood is through an IV, but obviously for most people this is not viable.
- The most practical method is to take a vitamin supplement in tablet form.
- Alternatively, you can eat a vitamin-rich food, such as a kiwi or grapefruit, to make up for the loss of vitamin C.
Step 5. Use a product that helps you soothe your hangover
There are products on the market that are formulated to help the body dispose of alcohol faster. Some work by compensating for the loss of vitamins and provide the body with a charge of fructose (for example, they may contain honey which is rich in them). The effectiveness of these remedies has not yet been attested, but you may benefit from them.
Step 6. Recognize the signs of alcohol intoxication
This is a phenomenon that can be fatal; if you suspect that you or another person is intoxicated, call the emergency health service immediately. Possible symptoms of alcohol intoxication include:
- Pale or bluish complexion
- Very low body temperature;
- State of mental confusion;
- He retched;
- Convulsions;
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Fainting. Keep in mind that a drunk person who loses consciousness is life threatening.
Part 2 of 3: Myths to dispel about how to dispose of a hangover
Step 1. Understand that hangover takes time
Although the web is full of possible remedies for getting sober quickly, what really matters is giving the body the time it needs to process the alcohol. Our body needs an hour to metabolize the alcohol contained in a drink. Remember that a drink is equivalent to:
- 350 ml of normal alcoholic beer;
- 250 ml of high alcohol beer;
- 150 ml of wine;
- 45 ml of liqueur or spirits.
- Keep in mind that when you mix different alcoholic beverages in a cocktail, the alcohol content goes up.
Step 2. Understand what affects the rate at which the body processes alcohol
There are several factors that affect how quickly your body processes alcohol. Some you can manage, while others are not controllable. The rate at which your body processes alcohol depends on:
- Your state of health;
- Your body weight;
- If you drank on an empty or full stomach;
- The speed at which you drank;
- Your alcohol tolerance level;
- If you have taken any drugs or medications, including over-the-counter drugs. Remember that every time you take a drug it would be better to avoid alcoholic beverages, also always respect the directions of the doctor and those reported on the package leaflet.
Step 3. Don't expect a cup of coffee to get you sober
Caffeine is a stimulant and therefore may relieve sleepiness, but it does not improve reflexes and coordination or counteract the effects of alcohol. Also, like alcohol, it dehydrates the body and thus can aggravate hangover symptoms and prolong mental confusion.
Step 4. Taking a cold shower is not enough either
You may think that taking a cold shower or repeatedly splashing cold water on your face will help you soothe your hangover faster. In fact, you may feel more awake and alert, but in fact contact with cold water in no way affects the rate at which the body processes alcohol.
- Keep in mind that when you are drunk your body has a hard time regulating its temperature, so you may have a hard time warming up after a cold shower.
- Taking a cold shower is a considerable shock to the body, especially if you have abused heavily with alcohol.
- The shock of cold water could cause you to lose consciousness and falling into the shower could seriously injure you.
Step 5. Understand that losing consciousness can be dangerous
If you have been drinking a lot and are at risk of alcohol poisoning, you need to consider that you may faint while you sleep and this can be very dangerous. If you continued drinking until just before bed, your blood alcohol level will rise as it is absorbed.
- If you suspect that you or another person is at risk of alcohol poisoning, the right thing to do is lie down on your side in a safe position.
- Lying on your back can be dangerous.
- If you think the drunk person is at risk for alcohol intoxication, don't leave them alone.
Step 6. Don't try to sober up by walking
You may think that taking a walk and getting some fresh air will help you get sober faster. In reality, the possible positive effects are more mental than physical, in the same way as when you take a cold shower. You may feel more alert and in control, but this does not affect the rate at which your body processes the alcohol. If you feel less drunk after a long walk, the main reason is that it's been a while.
- If you've been drinking heavily, your coordination and reflexes may have slowed down, so walking could risk falling and hurting yourself.
- If you are caring for a drunk person who is at risk of alcohol poisoning, do not let them walk in hopes that they will sober up more quickly. Help her lie down and assume the lateral safety position.
Step 7. Understand that forcing yourself to vomit will not make you sober
If you are drunk and are considering throwing up to expel the alcohol and sober up faster, think again. Once the alcohol has reached the small intestine, even though you are vomiting, you will not be able to excrete it. You may be able to reduce the amount of alcohol in your stomach, but without affecting the level of what your body has already absorbed that has made you drunk. Bottom line, throwing up doesn't make the hangover go away faster.
- Do not make a semi-conscious person vomit, as this could be dangerous.
- Vomiting can cause choking or asphyxiation.
Part 3 of 3: Stop Drinking
Step 1. Join a detox program
If you think you have a drinking problem and want to stop drinking, the first thing to do is talk to your doctor. You can take part in a detox program and free yourself from addiction. Your doctor will help you manage withdrawal symptoms during the body cleansing process.
- Generally it should be 2 to 7 days since you took your last drink.
- Withdrawal symptoms will likely become more pronounced around the second day. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe a sedative drug.
- Drink plenty of water and eat regularly to keep yourself fit.
- Follow up with your doctor even if you decide to detox yourself.
Step 2. Detoxify yourself from alcohol with the help of drugs.
Depending on your condition and circumstances, your doctor may prescribe certain medications that will help you fight alcohol addiction. The list of useful medicines includes for example:
- Acamprosate (active ingredient in the Campral drug) which can help you stay sober by reducing the urge to drink
- Disulfiram (active ingredient in the drug Antabuse) which can keep you away from relapses by inducing a feeling of nausea and other ailments, such as chest pains, vomiting and dizziness, when you drink.
- Naltrexone (active ingredient of the drugs Antaxone, Nalorex and Narcoral) prevents the positive effects of alcohol, making it less pleasant to drink, but without causing unwanted symptoms. It is an active ingredient also available in injectable form to be taken once a month.
Step 3. Find sources of social support
Alcohol addiction is a serious battle and you may need a strong support network to win it. You can try different options to find the one that works best for you. Some people prefer to trust in the help of friends and family, others find it more helpful to talk to someone who is having a similar experience. Options you can consider include:
- Contact the Alcoholics Anonymous association;
- Attend support group meetings;
- Take part in an individual or group therapy program;
- Go to a family counselor to resolve conflicts in the family;
- Make new friends who don't drink.
Step 4. Get treatment if you have any medical conditions that are hindering your recovery
In many cases, alcohol abuse and addiction can be linked to other problems, such as depression or anxiety. To be able to lose the habit of drinking, you must try to heal from such ailments. Medication, psychotherapy, or both could help you.
- Consult your doctor for advice on the most effective solutions.
- Consider using cognitive behavioral therapy to identify and manage situations or feelings that prompt you to drink.
Step 5. Avoid triggers
Certain situations, activities, and emotions can make you want to drink. These internal and external motivations are termed triggers. It is important to recognize what these situations are and find ways to avoid them or at least reduce the frequency in which they occur. This will make it easier to prevent relapses.
- If being around some people makes you want to drink, try to limit or suspend dating. For example, if you have a friend who drinks heavily and encourages you to do the same, you should try to avoid him or at least reduce the time you spend together.
- If you have a hard time ordering anything other than alcohol, the solution may be to temporarily avoid bars. Try asking friends or family to have dinner in a place where no alcoholic beverages are served. Alternatively, you could meet for breakfast or an afternoon coffee.
- If you notice that your desire to drink increases when you are very stressed, try relaxing exercises every day. The most effective techniques include deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation.
