The question of whether a person can “drink themselves sober” by continuing to consume alcohol is often asked. The definitive scientific answer is no. Sobriety is a physiological state achieved when the body has processed and eliminated alcohol molecules from the bloodstream. Since this detoxification occurs at a fixed rate the body cannot accelerate, consuming more alcohol only increases the time required to achieve sobriety.
How the Body Processes Alcohol
Intoxication is determined by the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream, a measurement known as Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). After consumption, alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, primarily through the small intestine and stomach. Once absorbed, it is quickly distributed throughout the body’s total water content, reaching organs like the brain in minutes and beginning to impair function.
The liver acts as the body’s main processing center for alcohol, handling about 90% of the ingested ethanol. This detoxification begins with the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which converts the ethanol into a toxic compound called acetaldehyde. A second enzyme then converts the acetaldehyde into acetate, a harmless substance that is eventually broken down into carbon dioxide and water.
This metabolic process is the sole mechanism for reducing the BAC. The liver has a limited capacity and processes alcohol at a fixed speed, regardless of the amount consumed. This rate-limited step causes the BAC to rise if alcohol is consumed faster than the liver can break it down, leading to increased intoxication. The concentration of alcohol in the blood, not the volume of liquid consumed, is the true measure of impairment.
Why Common Sobering Methods Fail
Introducing more liquid, such as water, does not affect the rate at which the liver’s enzymes metabolize the alcohol already in the bloodstream. While drinking water can help combat the dehydration caused by alcohol and may alleviate some hangover symptoms, it does not lower the BAC.
Consuming caffeine, such as coffee or energy drinks, is another common but ineffective strategy. Caffeine is a stimulant that counteracts the depressant effects of alcohol. While this may make an intoxicated person feel more awake and alert, their BAC remains unchanged.
The danger of using stimulants like coffee lies in this masking effect, which can create a false sense of sobriety. A person may feel capable of performing complex tasks, such as driving, while their coordination, judgment, and reaction time are still significantly impaired by the alcohol in their system.
The Role of Time in Achieving Sobriety
Time is the only factor that guarantees a reduction in Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and the return to sobriety. The liver processes alcohol at a fixed rate, averaging about 0.015% BAC per hour for most people. This rate cannot be significantly accelerated by external intervention, though it can vary slightly based on individual factors like body size and metabolism.
To put this into perspective, the liver breaks down roughly one standard drink per hour. If an individual consumes three standard drinks in an hour, it will take approximately two additional hours after the last drink for their BAC to return to the level it was after the first hour of drinking.
Since the metabolic process is rate-limited, actions like eating food after drinking or exercising will not accelerate the breakdown of alcohol already in the blood. Eating before drinking can slow the absorption rate, reducing the peak BAC, but once the alcohol is absorbed, the elimination rate is fixed.
Recognizing Alcohol Poisoning
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency resulting from a dangerously high BAC. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, and at toxic levels, it can shut down basic life-support functions, including breathing and the gag reflex.
Recognizing the signs of alcohol poisoning is important for safety. Symptoms include mental confusion, stupor, or difficulty remaining conscious. Physical signs include vomiting, seizures, and slow or irregular breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute or gaps of more than ten seconds between breaths).
The person’s skin may appear pale, bluish, or clammy, and their body temperature may drop, leading to hypothermia. If a person is unresponsive, cannot be woken up, or exhibits any of these symptoms, immediate action is required. Call emergency services, such as 911, and do not leave the person alone, as they are at risk of choking on their own vomit due to an impaired gag reflex.