5 Ways to Speed Up the Sobering Process

We’ve all been in a situation where we realize we’re more intoxicated than intended.  Unfortunately, praying to the party gods won’t transform your double vision back to single.  When faced with a situation where you need to sober up – quick – there are a few steps you can take to help move the process along.

1)   Stop Drinking Alcohol

It may be a no-brainer, but as soon as you realize you’ll need to be sober soon you need to put down your drink immediately.  It takes time for your liver to break down alcohol, and every little extra bit of alcohol you imbibe translates to added time in your sober-up wait.  Your highest BAC measurement may come up to two full hours after you’ve taken your last sip, so the sooner you stop drinking the better.

2)   Start Drinking Water

And lots of it!  Ironically, the more alcohol you drink the more dehydrated you are likely to become.  Forcing yourself to drink lots of water will prevent severe dehydration, as well as assist in diluting and flushing alcohol from your system more quickly.  You may also want to try some herbal tea designed for liver detoxification.  Many contain diuretics like dandelion root and other natural remedies that flush the system and encourage efficient liver function.

3)   Eat an Orange

Scientists have found that fructose, a sugar contained in fruit, honey, sodas and other sources can actually compel your liver to metabolize alcohol faster.  This is because fructose is also metabolized by the liver, giving the organ an extra jump-start to speed up alcohol metabolism.  Unfortunately, overworking your liver like this can contribute to the risk of metabolic syndrome, which can lead to diabetes, artery disease or stroke.  If you’re already at an elevated risk for diabetes, you may want to avoid this tactic.

4)   Give In to the Nausea

Vomiting won’t immediately sober you up, but it will prevent alcohol that has not yet been processed by your body from entering the blood stream.  This allows you to reach baseline more quickly, as your liver has less alcohol to deal with in the long run.  Only vomit when you feel you need to, as inducing vomiting can create undue stress to your body.

5)   Take a Nap

Unfortunately, the only surefire way to sober up is time.  Your body can only process and eliminate alcohol at a finite rate of speed, and there’s little you can do to affect that rate.  If you find yourself a little too tipsy to get behind the wheel, find a quiet spot to curl up and sleep it off.  Safety should supersede any prior commitments you’ve made, and your body will appreciate it, not to mention Florida law enforcement, your Florida DUI attorney and other drivers on the road.