|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

Tricks to Use to Sober Up When You're Drunk

Drinking alcohol can be fun but when you are drunk you become a danger to yourself and others. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2008 there were 13,846 drunk-driving related deaths in the United States, so it is imperative that you never drive under the influence. There are also many myths regarding hangover cures and getting sober which are untrue. For example, WebMD notes drinking coffee will perk you up but it won't help you get sober. Here are some tried and tested methods for getting sober.

  1. Sleep

    • If you are drunk then one of the best things you can do to sober up is sleep it off. Ideally you should sleep through the night, but even a few hours of rest will help to sober you up. To prevent a hangover you should also take two aspirin before you go to sleep and if you sleep for more than four hours take two more when you wake up.

    Eat

    • It is never advisable to drink alcohol on an empty stomach so hopefully you will have eaten a hearty meal before you started drinking. Make sure you continue to eat snacks as you drink to curb the affects of alcohol and to slow the process of alcohol getting absorbed into your bloodstream. You could also ingest a B complex vitamin that will restore vital vitamins into your body which will hydrate you.

    Exercise and Fresh Air

    • After hours spent indoors inside a dark bar or garishly lit nightclub, some exercise will do you some good even if the effects are more psychological than physical. The process of walking outside after drinking will help your body wake up and get you some much-needed fresh air. However, make sure that you have a sober friend with you to ensure your safety and whereabouts as drunks have lower inhibitions and are more open to suggestion which could lead you to danger.

    Drink Water

    • Alcohol has a dehydrating affect on your body because inhibits the production of hormones that help you retain water. It is therefore highly advisable to drink plenty of water because it will keep you hydrated and will prevent you from drinking any more or too much alcohol. Ideally you should drink water in conjunction with alcohol but it's never too late to pour yourself a pint of water before bed.

Public Health - Related Articles