Whether you're planning a safe ride home or trying to understand the effects of alcohol on your body, one common question is: how long does it take to sober up? The answer depends on a few key factors including your body, how much you drank, and the type of alcohol consumed. Let's break down the science and clear up some common misconceptions.
When you drink alcohol, your liver does the heavy lifting. On average, the liver can metabolize about one standard drink per hour. A standard drink is typically:
12 oz of beer (5% alcohol)
5 oz of wine (12% alcohol)
1.5 oz of liquor (40% alcohol)
This rate doesn’t speed up no matter how much coffee you drink or how many cold showers you take.
Here’s a basic guide to how long it might take to sober up:
1 drink: ~1 hour
2 drinks: ~2 hours
3 drinks: ~3 hours
6 drinks: ~6+ hours
Keep in mind, this is an estimate. Factors like body weight, sex, food intake, medications, and even stress levels can affect how quickly your body processes alcohol.
Many people think they can "sober up fast" using tricks like:
Drinking coffee
Cold showers
Vomiting
Eating a large meal
But these methods don't reduce your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). They might make you feel more alert temporarily, but your BAC — and your level of intoxication — remains the same. Time is the only thing that truly sobers you up.
You’re considered legally sober when your BAC drops below 0.08% (the legal limit in most of the U.S.). However, impairment can start at much lower levels, and the effects of alcohol can linger even after your BAC returns to zero.
Also, feeling “fine” isn’t a reliable indicator. You may still be impaired in terms of judgment, reaction time, and coordination even if you think you’ve sobered up.
Plan a ride home before you start drinking
Pace yourself (one drink per hour)
Eat food while drinking
Stay hydrated with water between drinks
So, how long does it take to sober up? For most people, it's roughly one hour per drink. No shortcuts, no magic fixes — just time. If you're unsure whether you're sober enough to drive or make decisions, it's always best to err on the side of caution.