Many students believe there are foolproof strategies that can quickly sober them up after drinking to drive safely. These misconceptions can lead to dangerous situations on the road.
Understanding how alcohol affects your body can help you make responsible decisions. It is important to know common myths about sobering up and to understand that time is the only reliable factor in lowering your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Common misconceptions
You might have heard various tips and tricks for sobering up quickly, but many of these are ineffective or even, harmful. Here are some popular myths about sobering up:
- Drinking coffee will sober you up
- Taking a cold shower can lower your BAC
- Eating bread or fatty foods will absorb the alcohol
- Exercising can help you sweat out the alcohol
- Drinking water will flush the alcohol out of your system
While some of these methods may make you feel more alert, they don’t actually lower your BAC or make it safer for you to drive.
Is there a sure way to lower your BAC?
The only real way to sober up before driving is through the passage of time. Your body needs time to process and eliminate alcohol from your system. Here’s what you need to know about BAC and sobering up:
- Your body can only process about one standard drink per hour
- BAC may continue to rise for up to 90 minutes after your last drink
- Factors like weight, gender and food intake can affect alcohol absorption
- It can take up to 5 hours to eliminate the alcohol from five drinks
- Even when you feel sober, your BAC may still be over the legal limit
Remember, feeling sober does not mean it is safe for you to drive. The only way to ensure you can safely get behind the wheel is to wait it out or find alternative transportation.
There is no shortcut to sobering up before driving. Consider designating a sober driver, using ride-sharing services or staying somewhere else overnight when you drink to reduce the risk of a drunk driving charge.
