How to sober up quickly and effectively
Dec 21, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
In general, one can sober up by hydrating, engaging in moderate exercise, applying physical cooling methods, inducing vomiting, or taking anti-alcohol medications. After drinking, eating vitamin-rich foods such as oranges, bananas, and tomatoes, appropriately exposing oneself to cool air, washing the face with cold water, or applying a cold towel to the face can cause surface blood vessels to constrict and stimulate the nerves, making one feel more alert.
Generally speaking, there is no method that can guarantee rapid and effective sobering up. However, you may attempt to sober up by hydrating, engaging in mild exercise, applying physical cooling techniques, inducing vomiting, or taking anti-alcohol medications, as detailed below:
1. Hydration: After drinking alcohol, to sober up quickly, it's important to replenish fluids by drinking more water, warm honey water, salt-sugar solution, or milk. These beverages not only promote metabolism and accelerate the elimination of alcohol, but also provide energy to the body, protect the gastric mucosa, and alleviate symptoms such as stomach discomfort and headache caused by alcohol consumption.
2. Mild Exercise: Engaging in moderate physical activities such as jogging or climbing stairs can accelerate blood circulation, enhance metabolism, and help the body eliminate alcohol more quickly. However, alcohol consumption may impair motor function, so precautions should be taken during exercise to avoid falls or injuries.
3. Physical Cooling: Methods such as exposure to cool air, washing the face with cold water, or applying a cold towel to the face can cause surface blood vessels to constrict, stimulate the nerves, make a person feel more alert, and thus help achieve quicker sobriety.
4. Inducing Vomiting: If a large amount of alcohol has been consumed in a short period and symptoms of intoxication appear while the person remains conscious, inducing vomiting may be considered to expel unabsorbed alcohol from the stomach and prevent further absorption. However, vomiting should be performed under medical supervision to avoid causing harm to the body.
5. Taking Anti-Alcohol Medications: In cases of severe intoxication, appropriate medications can be used under a doctor's guidance for treatment. For example, drugs such as furosemide tablets, hydrochlorothiazide tablets, or naloxone hydrochloride injection may be administered to enhance kidney metabolism and accelerate alcohol elimination, thus achieving rapid sobriety. However, medication-based sobering has side effects and should not be used excessively in the short term.
After drinking alcohol, it is advisable to eat more foods rich in vitamins, such as oranges, bananas, and tomatoes, which can have a certain alcohol-metabolizing effect.
